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7 inch blade WW2 fighting knife


Papas-Toybox
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Papas-Toybox

Got another question.. I cannot locate anything about this knife online so time to ask the experts. Anything anyone can tell me will be appreciated.

 

The markings on the Ricasso seem to be military numbering as the L-1275 is also stenciled on the back of the sheath. My initial guess is an armorer controlled these and the UMC either USMC or most likely Unit Master Catalog.

 

The blade guard is larger, but matches the blade guard on my Pal RH-36's. This knife however has a 7 inch blade.

Under the wire reinforcement for the sheath, there are 9 split rivets along with a sewn edge. The sheath is just long enough for the 7 inch blade.

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Bob- Mike Silvey has a picture of a similar knife on pg 189 in his book on" US Military Knives of WW2". He states they are a cheap copy of the PAL RH36, no name of manufacturer, or stamp listed for knife. SKIP

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Can you make out The name? There are only 34 entries in the WW2 data base I used from here with that laundry number, non of them have a Wyoming residence.

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Papas-Toybox

Both the blade and blade guard are magnetic. When I hold the handle and tap it with metal it sounds exactly like the RH36.

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Can you make out The name? There are only 34 entries in the WW2 data base I used from here with that laundry number, non of them have a Wyoming residence.

The "WY" followed by numbers LOOKS like Wyoming with a zip code, but you have to bear in mind there were no zip codes back then.

I'm not at all familiar with Army abbreviations, but the "WY" may possibly mean something else.

 

Plus, the two-letter state abbreviations are a fairly recent innovation as well. Wyoming probably had to be spelled out back then.

 

Hope this helps, Art

 

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Papas-Toybox

Thank you for the help. Now I've tons more information than when I started. Amazing source of info here on the Forum.

 

I'll keep searching the WY 155

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Papas-Toybox

BTW, there is also a Wyoming County and a Village of Wyoming in New York that is southwest of Rochester, NY which is his place of enlistment. My newest guess is WY 155 was his phone number when he entered service.


Also, I have located his daughter and grandaughter in an effort to learn more. In the event they want the knife back, I am just gonna bite the bullet and send it to them for free. I know with the provenance I should get around $100 - $200 selling it, but it's worth more than money to them.

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Papas-Toybox

It's getting better. The UMC engraved on the blade could be for his church. The United Methodist Church of Wyoming New York.

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