MARINE USED M3 KNIFE IN M6 SCABBARD?

[6th.MG.BN]

I was wondering how common was it for a WWII US Marine to carry a blade marked M3 knife in a M6 leather scabbard? And does anyone have any pictures to show that?

About eight years ago I purchased around a dozen M3 knives all in M6 leather scabbards. I sold off all except one. The one I keep wasn't the nicest and was probably the one showing the most use.

The first thing I noticed was it had been dyed black(front only), and when I turned it over it had a stenciled name on it, like you always find on Marine items. First thing I thought was Marine Raider or Para-Marine, obviously.

Eight years later while going through some boxes I came upon it and was wondering how many pictures are there out there showing Marines carrying M3 knives?

The name on the reverse of the scabbard is hard to make out. I also realize it might not be a marine's name at all. There is what looks like initials stamped on the pommel.

Regards,

Ken

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[SKIPH]

I have never seen a picture of a Marine wearing one, but I'm sure they could get their hands on one in a trade, or a gift from a brother in the army. Who knows? SKIP

[usmce4]

IF it was used by a Marine, it could very well have been bought in an Army-Navy store in the late 60s or early 70s for just a few bucks and used in Vietnam. That's how I got my cool Doggie jump boots to replace my boondockers. ($10.65 in 1964 or 5)

 

Art

[6th.MG.BN]

I have never seen a picture of a Marine wearing one, but I'm sure they could get their hands on one in a trade, or a gift from a brother in the army. Who knows? SKIP

 

Skip,

I never saw a picture of a Marine carrying one either but thought i would ask. I'm sure most weapons were used in both theaters, The only weapon I can say I never saw in Europe during WWII is a Johnson rifle(I'm sure someone will now show me a picture of that haha).

Ken

[SKIPH]

Ken- 1st Special Service Force used and liked the Johnson LMG, but not quite sure if I have seen pics of them being used in Italy or France. SKIP

[6th.MG.BN]

They probably were used in Europe too.

Ken

[dustin]

My first reaction to the name stenciled on the back is more US Navy than USMC, which I'm going to strongly lean towards, but suppose it could be either. As an observation, Marine marked equipment is typically the user initials first then last name and opposite of the Navy, last name/initials but this is just a basic rule of thumb and not always the truth. Naval supplies depots did at one point or another maintain quite a variety of edged implements of knives and machetes. The M3 trench knife with M6 scabbard was maintained by Naval supply depots until the introduction of the Mark 2, when the M3 was dropped so was the M-1910 bolo but they did retain the M-1917 in their inventory. The M3 was an expedient to supply shore based personnel.

 

Here is a picture representing those knives and machetes maintained at Naval Supply Depots.

Note the Mark 1 to the left of the M3. The 5-inch hunting was a standard well before the adoption of the 7-inch fighting knife Mark 2, only later to be re-desiganted as the Mark1

 

[sactroop]

dustin, just so I'm clear, the M-1917's your referring too are the Bolo's and not the knuckle knife?

[dustin]

That is correct, the Bolo as illustrated in the image.

[SKIPH]

Dustin- That's interesting about the M3 being maintained by the USN. According to Frank Trzaska's writings he stated the army had considered the MK2 before the M3 went into production. SKIP

[dustin]

What is the name on the scabbard? I cant quite decipher it. It looks to be a highly uncommon last name and would significantly reduce the search for the former owner.

[dustin]

Skiph, if I'm not mistaken the M3 was adopted well before the Mark 2 and was in production prior too it as well. Thats my understanding without hitting the books to conform that but I do know that the M3 was adopted in January 1943 and the Mark 2 in April of 1943.

In a cursory research the M3 was in production by the time Mark 2 contracts were awarded, I think it safe to assume that the M3 has about a three month head start possibly a bit more. This means its availability would be first, considering a short over lap, the requirement to satisfy Naval requirements would have been low considering expected deliveries of the Mark 2. M3 purchases or more than likely requisitions from Army ORD contracts would be significantly low. Just to toy with a figure 10-15 thousand perhaps? but that number is absolute speculation

[dustin]

Naval medical personal, Normandy

 

 

 

[dustin]

Another Naval person, Normandy

 

[SKIPH]

Dustin- I know the production dates are close, so I'm not gonna disagree with you. I too have to hit the books. The pics you posted are great, but keep in mind the sailors were ferrying army combat troops into Normandy. As an infantryman I would trade my M3 for a MK2 in a heartbeat. Way more versatility. I was issued, and carried USN MK2s for most of my 20+ years in the army. Better knife in my opinion. SKIP

[dustin]

What are you disagreeing with?

[dustin]

Fact: US Navy had M3.s in stock.

Fact: us navy personnel wearing M3

Fact: knife in OP is most likely named to Navy man

Just adding provenance to the knife posted.

[SKIPH]

Dustin- Not disagreeing that the USN had M3s. I'm just trying to sort out the dates of production for the M3 vs. the MK2. My books say M3 adopted in Jan 1943, but production began in March of 43. It also reads that the MK2 was in production in Jan of 1943. My dates are based on articles written by Frank Trazaka, and Mike Silvey in the book, " MILITARY KNIVES- a Reference Book". The photos you have are actually the first I have seen of Navy personnel wearing an M3. It's a known fact that the USS Omaha had 70 X V42s. I was in 5th & 7th Special Forces Groups, in 5th GP, the scuba teams had USN MK2s, in 7th Group we all were issued Camillus MK2s, in MK2 scabbards. I get other services are issued various knives. I love the USN pics. SKIP

[usmce4]

Please note in the pics the sheaths used by the USN people are brown.

Adding a bit more to what I stated earlier, (about it being USMC [or USN] Vietnam era)......... around 1966 all USMC (and I'm guessing USN) leather sheaths were supposed to be dyed black. The name not being in proper format adds even more credence to what I suggested: US Army surplus purchase dyed black for Vietnam era use.

 

Art