Thanks to robinb I am the proud new owner of a 1942 USMC-contract Collins & Co. No. 191 machete . And, thanks to John Gibson I have a USN Mark 2 scabbard to hold it . Here are some quick-n-dirty pictures I took this morning:









And, here is the best shot of the markings I can manage (the blackened finish makes it tough to see) -



When I get a chance I'll take another picture or two with some other USMC/PTO militaria I have in the background.

Tim

Glad to see you got one. I was going send you a heads up email but saw you were already on it. Yours looks at least as good as mine. I was amazed at the feel in the hand. Congrats. Bill

Hi Bill,

Yep, I finally got my own. I agree about the "feel in the hand". You would not normally think of a machete being well-balanced the way a fighting knife can be, but, this machete really IS well-balanced. With a firm grip the sense you get swinging the machete is a smooth natural motion with just the right heft towards the front third of the blade.

One of these days I have to stop picking up collectible machetes and snag a real "beater" instead, then I can go out in my back yard and see exactly what one of these beasties can do the small saplings and shrubs on my property .

Tim

Tim,

Congrats! I'll tell you, though, if you really want to get a workout with a machete, try cutting sugar cane 8 hrs/day, 6 days/week, for 3-4 months.

Ahhh, the things that Robin must have! hahah, I wish I could live close to him.