Jump to content

Opinions on WWII fighting knife made from M1 bayonet


McDermut99
 Share

Recommended Posts

This is my most recent knife acquisition. It looks to be a WWII M1 bayonet cut down to a fighting knife. I haven’t found any markings on the knife, and the blade measures 6 11/16in. The sheath has no markings except a last name on the front and what looks to be “June 1944” written on the back. I’ve found a couple similar examples of this style of cut down online so I’m wondering if this is pretty typical of M1 bayonets converted into fighting knives.

 

Any comments are greatly appreciated!

 

75806a9e2ac782c3c93277927f54da65.jpg
9417cd485d09b02907030e8011e8f33a.jpg
ab96676a523f0a3700f16d936867271d.jpg
387a0236d5fb59aaafbf7d65f486c593.jpg
6d893f4564e0e68b9282bc264f7bfdb6.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

McDermut99- These were made from left overs, or rejected parts. UTICA was known to make these from parts or rejects, producing them under the "KUTMASTER" name. This also could have been made by someone in uniform. I had a crappy Korean cut down M1 that I ground down a little to make one for me. But, with this one the scabbard looks like the ones I've seen with the Kutmasters, and just about any other knife made from parts in WW2. Years ago I had a SGM I served with who carried his Dad's "KUTMASTER" from WW2. Hard to tell who made it w'o a makers name stamped on the blade. SKIP

Link to comment
Share on other sites

stealthytyler

Is it possible that these knives were produced during WWII instead of just post-war? I have one direct from a family member who fought in WWII. His scabbard is named and the wear on the scabbard matches the knife in which it came in when I received it. I wonder if its possible that he bought it private party and placed it in his scabbard? Does anyone have legit document proof stating that these were ONLY produced post-war? Or is this an assumption? Thanks!

 

post-131595-0-55960100-1547065214_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As far as I've read they were produced during WW2 as well as post war. As I stated a little earlier, my SGM carried his Dad's WW2 Kutmaster. I do suspect that these were PX / commercial knives, and probably not issued. But, who knows? SKIP

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As I recall, the Kutmaster marked knives made from M1 bayonets were post-war builds, probably around 46-47. However, other knives from M1 bayonets could have been made in WW2 from broken bayonets or just because. I have had several of these, kept two that were made from Wilde Tool bayonets. Also, if you take off the grips and look on the underside of the guard, you may see the manufacturer's name. The Wilde Tool marked their bayonet guards (WT) on the upper side, others marked theirs on the bottom so you can only see them when the grips are removed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Item posted was made from a PAL bayonet. The "notch outs"on the back of the crossguard are PAL production distinct. Also, the oval guard is distinct to PAL production on the "bayonet knives" and their bayonet prodution. IE; I can spot a PAL bayonet w/o picking it up just by the "notch outs
". A PAL spear-point is typical. Possibly postwar surplus parts or war production rejects. That style sheath also shows up on PAL products with some regularity.

 

It is a very nice example of PAL "bayonet" knife

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 years later...

Way back in the late 1960s my family was on vacation in upstate NY and we stopped in at a flea market. One vendor had a wooden barrel full of these knives and they were $1.00 each. I was a kid and had four quarters from my allowance and bought one as my family tried to hurry me along. the blade is marked KUTMASTER  Utica NY.

 I always wondered what the backstory was. the vendor had a lot.

 

GEDC0372.JPG

GEDC0373.JPG

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Utica cutlery took left over, or unfinished  stock of M1 bayonets and made hunting/utility knives from them. Were the holes  drilled for the release catch, or the lug slot?  SKIP

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...