I saw your posting and saw the listing on eBay. Apparently it’s sold.  My question is if it’s made by Colt why is the blade marked China? See photo    I’ve seen S&W knives marked Chiba as well. Are thise authorized by the original manufacturer- Colt, S&W?  Just reminds me of those firearms advertisied limited edition six shooter like the one John Wayne used or some , or a 1911 45 “Colt”. 

70s, 80s, 90s, and on into the 2000s. 

I’ve looked around a bit and at least one other forum online notes this mark. The form of your sword is the (horse) artillery sword which was based on a French service design. In Thilmann (pg 328), he lists a R. Röhrig (also marked R & C) for the cavalry sword (also based on a French service sword) M1840.  I couldn’t find any definitive source online for the combination of names,  but I don’t have any of the standard sources for German sword makers, having very little interest in them. The most curious thing is the New York marking as none of the standard sources on American swords or military goods list such a firm. I presume this means that they were merely distributed here, but whoever was doing the etching wanted an American city listed on what is most likely a German manufactured sword (Solingen).

I have seen one over the years, long ago. Probably a harder find . Can you post pics?   I have the later APC M318 and T33E7 marked post war, Korean War ( 1953). Probably the best is my 1943 M71 HE, factory crimped. I bought it from the grandson of a munitions worker in Illinois area, way back when they gave rejects to employees.  Pics posted for interest.

If you are looking for the Army Air Corps M1938 set, complete w. hat, correct trousers, coat with correct orange & blue dress "waffles", I have only seen a couple sets in 35 years of actively collecting and one of them was on the forum. I am guessing $500-750 if you can find some-one that wants to sell and that's providing the soldier does not have any significant service history. These are very rare. Infantry, Cavalry or Artillery might be easier to find. Cavalry would be the same price and maybe slightly less for the other branches. If you find one with multiple service stripes, high rank NCO with WW1 and before service I bet you might have to pay over $1K. They come up so seldom that it hard to give an accurate value. One of the most striking uniforms Army NCO's have every worn in my opinion.

Well for starters what do you have already. The essentials I would say are Grunt Gear by Tolkoff, Pradiers Marine corps uniforms and equipment 1941-1945, and Harlan Glenn’s 782 gear. Those are the absolute essentials in my opinion and a must have for any USMC collector. A great overview and in depth resource for anything the marines had. Now if your interested in specific units or would suggest getting a roster book for whatever division your interested  in, you can find these on Amazon. And period unit histories are also a great resource though a little scarce at times. 

Thanks for sharing thorin6, nice collection of MC1 you have.   Now I’ll have to go through my bins to see if I have a Colonial Knife MC1. 

Overlocked edge and “tail” = circa 1980s

You seem to be missing one of the MC1 knives.  

Cerick,   While I may be a "new member" here, I have been a long-time reader.  These guys know way more than I do.  Iron bender, great info.  While not a "3 bander" this Ole Gal came out of an attic near here a couple of years ago.  While I stopped collecting years ago, I couldn't leave her behind.  Ohio marked 1854 Lorenz.  Thought you might enjoy seeing it.     OD