McDermut99 Posted January 11, 2020 Share #1 Posted January 11, 2020 Found at a local antique store for $20. I haven’t bought it because it’s only the second M3 style knife I’ve held and my knowledge is rather limited. It’s been used heavily, and the only markings I found was the “USM3 CASE” stamped on the guard. Apologies for the pics, I tried to get as much details as possible. Is this a real Case M3? What’s its value in this condition? Any comments are very much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted January 11, 2020 Share #2 Posted January 11, 2020 Looks fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted January 11, 2020 Share #3 Posted January 11, 2020 That is one long looking grip but I'll defer to the experts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted January 11, 2020 Share #4 Posted January 11, 2020 It's a real one! Some Case handles, like their blades do vary in length. Check out Bill Walter's book. For $20 buy it, not in collectible condition, but you might be able to salvage it into a functional knife, with some tender loving care, and patience. Based on the pictures, the handle is in tact, blade just needs to be reworked, and maybe refinished with some gun blue. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill in VA Posted January 12, 2020 Share #5 Posted January 12, 2020 That is one long looking grip but I'll defer to the experts. Probably because about an inch is missing from the tip. It’s an honest knife though, and for $20 the OP definitely didn’t get hurt (and even a fake/modern repro at $20 is a steal.) If it were mine I’d clean it up, retip it and put a real edge on it and maybe some staghorn grips for a bitchin’ hunting and camp knife that’s guaranteed to be an eyecatcher at the cabin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDermut99 Posted January 13, 2020 Author Share #6 Posted January 13, 2020 Looks fine. It's a real one! Some Case handles, like their blades do vary in length. Check out Bill Walter's book. For $20 buy it, not in collectible condition, but you might be able to salvage it into a functional knife, with some tender loving care, and patience. Based on the pictures, the handle is in tact, blade just needs to be reworked, and maybe refinished with some gun blue. SKIP That is one long looking grip but I'll defer to the experts. Probably because about an inch is missing from the tip. It’s an honest knife though, and for $20 the OP definitely didn’t get hurt (and even a fake/modern repro at $20 is a steal.) If it were mine I’d clean it up, retip it and put a real edge on it and maybe some staghorn grips for a bitchin’ hunting and camp knife that’s guaranteed to be an eyecatcher at the cabin. Thank you all very much! I'll be stopping by tomorrow to buy it, it's hidden under a pile of other bayonets and blades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
istout0321 Posted January 23, 2020 Share #7 Posted January 23, 2020 That M3 looks very legit! Do you plan to leave it as is or restore it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDermut99 Posted February 15, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted February 15, 2020 That M3 looks very legit! Do you plan to leave it as is or restore it? Thank you! As of right now I'm leaving it be, but come summer I'd like to begin cleaning and reworking it. As Bill and SKIP commented the knife has been so heavily used it's not valuable as a collectors piece, so my plans are to "restore" it per se to wear in reenactments as well as camping, hunting, etc. The cross guard is loose, but the leather washers are in pretty decent shape so I might keep them. Otherwise as suggested, I'll clean the metal, rework and refinish the blade, and tighten the cross guard. It's looking to be a fun and interesting project! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDermut99 Posted February 15, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted February 15, 2020 Some better photos after I brought it home. I tried a little scrubbing to get some gunk off one side of the blade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted February 15, 2020 Share #10 Posted February 15, 2020 a real roached one at that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misfit 45 Posted February 16, 2020 Share #11 Posted February 16, 2020 I like your idea. Restore it enough to be usable. Marv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted February 16, 2020 Share #12 Posted February 16, 2020 Condition aside it's a nice piece of history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctorofwar Posted March 10, 2020 Share #13 Posted March 10, 2020 $20 for a Case M3 is a deal in any condition! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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