gunbarrel Posted March 4, 2012 Share #26 Posted March 4, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsellati Posted March 4, 2012 Share #27 Posted March 4, 2012 Marking of the handle: Marking of the blade: solcarlus Yes, here is another excellent example :thumbsup: . Look at the depth of the "U.S.1918" marking on this handle and the distance between the "Au" and the "Lion" marking on the knife's blade solcarlus posted. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted March 4, 2012 Share #28 Posted March 4, 2012 Gb Any chance the blade was re-ground changing the back cuts?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted March 4, 2012 Share #29 Posted March 4, 2012 Great thread! Maybe we should consider pinning it? :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSchlagan Posted March 4, 2012 Share #30 Posted March 4, 2012 RD, Ya' beat me to it! :thumbsup: That is exactly what appears to me, as has been done, and quite professionally at that. A careful examination reveals just a hint (perhaps 1/8") of the original sloping backcut; and where the more 'squared-off' backcut begins. That kind out backcut/runout is typical as to what a belt grinder (such as a professional knifemakers' 2" x 72" machine*) would leave, when platen (or hollow) ground with the belt slightly off-tracked; which is the normal method of doing such. Also notice that the 'grit lines' on the reground blade, are not consistent with the rest of the finish; or in comparison with un-altered examples. In other words, they simply did not take the grind down to a finer grit of belt, nor get to any point of buffing it. I would strongly surmise that the blade was reground, for one of two reasons (perhaps even both): A. Cosmetics, as in once being heavily pitted. B. Could have had a broken tip. A measurement of the blade OAL, would help to confirm, in any case; though is does not appear as much stock was actually removed. The re-grind also appears to have been done quite some time ago. Also keep in mind, that being (quite roughly) sand cast brass*, there is a LOT of room for variation of the "U.S. 1918" marking, that was cast in. * [And it is my understanding, that the Au Lions' are cast brass; while the American made versions were similarly cast, though, using bronze.] Everything else about this knuckler appears "as correct" IMHO. A very nice knife, indeed! I especially like the (re-purposed sheath). And great catch on that, BTW, TomcatPC. I wonder if that belt hardware was left intact so as be able to 'rig-mount it' inside of a M1911 A1 holster, as sometimes noticed. * Stock photo of the 2" x 72" belt grinder that is in my shop: Platen (flat) attachment on the tooling arm; with toolrest (un-mounted) in the foreground. Kind Regards, Don. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted March 4, 2012 Share #31 Posted March 4, 2012 ...there is quite a striking difference in...the distance between the words Au & Lion. Look at...the distance between the "Au" and the "Lion" marking on the knife's blade solcarlus posted. Chris & Tim, I've seen that before, like on this knife sold by a dealer online a while back... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted March 4, 2012 Share #32 Posted March 4, 2012 GbAny chance the blade was re-ground changing the back cuts?? Ron, Don seems to think so (Post No. 30). He's very knowledgeable about the technical aspect of knives; so, if you guys think so, I'll go with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted March 4, 2012 Share #33 Posted March 4, 2012 I have had this knife for a couple of years and I have never understood the fitting on the scabbard. The scabbard appears to be a MK1 scabbard under the leather with a USGI belt attachment on one side. The other side has what looks like a rifle sling attachment or possibly a British web gear attachment. I was hoping somebody more knowledgeable than me can provide an answer. I can't really tell what it is. This knife was supposedly used by a 502 trooper in WW2. Thanks for looking. Chris Chris, Compare your scabbard with the one on this photo posted by Saskatoon Light Infantry a while back Reference - Post #57 here: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...mp;#entry469195 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted March 4, 2012 Share #34 Posted March 4, 2012 Chris & Tim, I've seen that before, like on this knife sold by a dealer online a while back... Also illustrated by fabnatcyr's outstanding theater knife: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted March 5, 2012 Author Share #35 Posted March 5, 2012 I took some more pics this morning, I hope these show the blade well. I really feel this knife is old and original. But it does appear to have some work done on it. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted March 5, 2012 Share #36 Posted March 5, 2012 Chris Sure looks re-ground to me.I agree with Don as my first thought was it may have been re-ground to remove rust or pitting.I see the graying of the blade(near the ricasso and spine) and rust near the Au Lion mark but then its a different color or patina on the blade grinds.I also noticed the little egde of the old/original grind on the left of the blade near the lions head as Don pointed out in his excellent post.I too think its right but Im way from being a pro on the knucks. RD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke41 Posted March 5, 2012 Share #37 Posted March 5, 2012 The blade has been re-ground. The Au Lion grips were sand cast and they range from excellent to so rough you can barely get your hand inside the knuckle bow, this grip is on the poorer side of casting quality, but I'd say its original. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsellati Posted March 6, 2012 Share #38 Posted March 6, 2012 Looking at the additional photos and reading some of the other comments, I believe the knife is original. Those reground 'cut backs' and my lack of experience with seeing variations in the model and maker markings had me incorrectly thinking otherwise at first. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted March 7, 2012 Share #39 Posted March 7, 2012 Looking at one I picked up a year ago Im thinking the vet made the scabbard from his issue USMC garrison belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted March 7, 2012 Share #40 Posted March 7, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted March 7, 2012 Share #41 Posted March 7, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share #42 Posted March 7, 2012 Could very well be an old belt. I really like the EGA on the top. Very nice !! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannyBMW Posted March 8, 2012 Share #43 Posted March 8, 2012 Here's mine for comparison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted March 8, 2012 Share #44 Posted March 8, 2012 Could very well be an old belt. I really like the EGA on the top. Very nice !! Chris Thanks Chris On the back piece you can see an embossed line on the top and bottom of the leather.Much like the lines on the issue garrison belts worn on the Alphas.Also has the look of the same color of the garrison belts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cromwell Posted March 8, 2012 Share #45 Posted March 8, 2012 Nice ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted March 8, 2012 Author Share #46 Posted March 8, 2012 Here's mine for comparison I like your knife and it has very interestng cut-backs on the blade. :thumbsup: Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSchlagan Posted March 9, 2012 Share #47 Posted March 9, 2012 Good observation Chris. Yeah, they really stagger-stepped the backcuts on that one! IIRC, the M1918 MK1, was initially/originally contracted to Au Lion, simply because they were able to produce them in short order/quickly tool-up. It could also have something to do with GB's keen observation of the "French M-1916 Le Vengeur knife, the daddy of the M1918 Mk 1". The various US contracts, were not able to be fulfilled prior to the end of WWI, thus not 'really' issued at that time. (As far as most currently available info.) Thus they remained, in inventory, and were primarily issued in WWII. Don. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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