thorin6 Posted July 30, 2018 Share #1 Posted July 30, 2018 This is a small grouping from a local estate sale. Because the most important part of the group was the knives, I’m putting here, but along with the two knives were the post card, the bracelet, and the propaganda leaflets from the Japanese aimed at the Australian soldiers. Several leaflets are a little too graphic to show, but the one on the right gives the general tenor of the propaganda. The bracelet is handmade and has the sailor’s name and unit, among other things, engraved on the metal. That information enabled me to track down his service leading to the Seabees memorial site and the unit book for his unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted July 30, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted July 30, 2018 The first Ka-bar was owned by Ted R. (Ray) Crider, USNR, who served with the 44th Naval Construction Battalion (otherwise known as the Seabees), during WW2. The battalion arrived at Espiritu Santo (setting for the movie “South Pacific”) in March 1943 and attached to the 5th USN Construction Regiment. In April 1944 they moved to Manus Island in the Admiralty Islands group, which had been cleared by the 1st Cavalry Division. They departed the South Pacific in February 1945 to return to the US. Seaman Crider was assigned to the Weapons Platoon, B Company, 44th NCB for both assignments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted July 30, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted July 30, 2018 The knife is marked with his name and initials, and the sheath has his nickname, Ray, on the front. It’s my understanding that this came back with him from the South Pacific. It’s been cleaned of its original blued finish and is bright. The handle and guard are tight. The Ka-bar over Olean, NY is clear, but the USN on the back side has been filed off and Seaman Crider’s initials (TRC) placed there. The knife has a very thin pommel which has been peened on; a similar one can be seen on Coles Book III on page 94, second one up from the bottom of the page, with the one red fiber spacer and two black spacers. At some time the point went through the sheath and it was wrapped in duct tape; the residual glue is still on the nine-rivet sheath. A leather lanyard, tied in knots, is on the bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted July 30, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted July 30, 2018 The second knife came from the same estate as the first one, but there isn’t a name or initials on the sheath or knife. It appears to be one of the “UDT” knives that have a smooth handle, a marked out section on the left side of the guard where the name of the manufacturer was stamped (but you can still make out the BAR) with the USN MK2 stamp on the right side of the guard, and a thin pinned pommel. This knife can be seen on page 89 of Coles Book III, middle of the page with the fuller visible. As for the sheath, it has been modified as shown, with the belt loop completely removed. The two holes in the sheath suggest that it was tied on to a belt or other piece of personal equipment. These knives were shown by Frank Trzaska some years ago to be made post-WW2 in Ohio out of left-over parts and not an issued item. I have no idea why this was in the estate, other than as a generally useful large fixed blade knife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted July 30, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted July 30, 2018 See this thread for more information on these "UDT" knives. There was one recently on ebay with an opening bid of $175. I don't think it has sold yet. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2812-the-udt-knifefact-or-fantasy/page-3?hl=kabar&do=findComment&comment=2488863 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted July 31, 2018 Share #6 Posted July 31, 2018 Congrats - beautiful knives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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