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WW2 Fighting Knife In Picture - Field Used


MWalsh
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I think this is the only picture I have which actually shows what I think is a fighting knife. It's always bayonets I ever see. Thought others might enjoy seeing this

 

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Nice photo! Looks like M3 in an M8 scabbard. The leather washer pattern on that one is kind of unique, some one may be able to ID that maker.

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Agree its a M3 with an early short frog M8 scabbard...look at the tip broken off the scabbard as well.

 

Im guessing the soldier slipped a belt hook into the webb frog to hang it on the belt...I know late war some M8s were being modified with the hook sewn in but I have seen several where ethey just slipped one in to use on a belt.Even had a couple wire hangers added to leather Kabar scabbards.

 

Great picture.

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I think it's a 9 groove handle. I'm not sure how many companies made them. They don't seem common as far as how often I've run across them. Maybe they all were intended to be the more common 8 groove and are a result of the high production demands on the workers?

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I agree with Ron, looks like an early M8 w/ a belt hook added. I could only count 8 grooves on the handle, but FWI CASE made anywhere from 5-9 grooves, and also a 20 oval handle which is really cool. Saw one for sale years ago for $500. Didn't have the funds at that time. Only one I ever saw for sale. SKIP

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Here is one of my favorites. The soldier on the far left with the carbine has, I believe, an M3 attached to the ankle area as well as what looks like a paratrooper first aid pack.

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I suppsoe this is a better thread than any for misc. field used knives.

 

This is in partial theme but of an M4 but being used by a Navy Corpsman, I think this is Okinawa.

 

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The most elusive all, or in the catergory of all types of sheath knives is the famed Baby Shark. We know they existed but pics are practically nonexistent. However here is one being worn by a Marine or Navy Corpsman. Presumably, Okinawa.

 

It is the vesrion with steel half guard and Resinox pommel.

 

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Kind of relevenat to another post from an ETO document about issuance of the M3-M4. USAAF personnel in the PTO, Marianas, the doc is relevent service wide.

 

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The close up of the Baby Shark looks like a 4 inch blade. That was a common blade length before the War according to the catalog evidence I have. IMHO, the shorter blade lengths were likely more common than many of us would normally consider.

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I'm pretty sure it's a five inch. The four inch variety have different style handles, often smaller in diameter. The other key here is the Resinox or plaztic pommel.

Potentially it's this knife here as shown in Bill Walters Book.

 

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The sheath and handle are like those other "baby" types manufactured during the war. the sheath is closer to this one but of a high handle retaining strap. the pattern of the sheath gives an illusion of a four inch, but is really a five. These baby sharks are almost equal in handle to blade length. handle is about 1/2 inch shorter, at a distance, it would look equal. in scaling the image the handle is 1-1/4 inch and the sheath is 1-1/2 inches, the tip of the sheath is bent and the angle might throw it off a little. It is proportionate to that of a five inch blade. That is the number scaling off my screen, you may find different actual measurements but find the close to equal halves.

 

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The more I study the photo the more I think I was deceived by the width to length of the sheath pocket. The proportions of the photo make it clear that the length of the sheath pocket is greater than the hilt of the knife.

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Doctorofwar

What we don't see a lot of are Western sheath knives.

 

This a Western G-46-8 on Iwo.

 

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Those Western G-46-8s are one of the most serious looking military knives ever! I love my the 1219c2 pattern blades but next to the big Western 8 blades they almost look like toys. Thanks for sharing.

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The pistol belt with added ammunition loops is pretty neat. The rounds do appear to be .45 Auto. Wish I had more of that photo sequence, we might see more in identifying who you he is and what he is armed with.

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Here is a picture of Major Casteel, 82AB, laying down and eating his rations with knife straped to his ankle. Lots of interesting detail in the picture including the jeep bumper markings.

Credit of the picture goes to Roy Barger of the 508PIR.

Kim

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I thought this was an interesting picture, M3 with M8 scabbard worn by a member of the 439th Troop Carrier Group. The date of May 1944 it was struck me.

knife troop carrierc.jpg

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M1Garandy
On 4/17/2020 at 12:37 PM, dustin said:

I suppose this is a better thread than any for misc. field used knives.

 

This is in partial theme but of an M4 but being used by a Navy Corpsman, I think this is Okinawa.

 

post-56-0-50365700-1587145042.jpg

post-56-0-57530200-1587145055.jpg

Looks like the Corpsmans belt is the long strap from a M1907 rifle sling. 

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May of 44 should mean that the picture from the 439th TCG was taken in Upottery in the South West of England.  Their official date of transfer from the East Midlands would have been 4/26/44.

I've posted this before, of Glider pilot Cpt. Wallace Hammargren 98th TCS of the 440th TCG.  I don't know the date of this picture, I believe it's post D-Day because of the paratrooper uniform he's waring.

 

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Here is a picture of my dad. he has what appears to be some kind of knife on his belt. The photo was taken on Okinawa in April or May 1945 when his unit was in the mopping up phase of the battle. Sorry for the low quality of the  pictures.  It's the best I have.  

Mikie

Dad Okinawa.jpg

Dad Okinawa knife.jpg

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  • 7 months later...

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