Just bought an M3 guard marked ACC M3. Two or three of the leather bands on the handle are missing from the middle going toward the top and there is rust on the exposed metal from where the bands are missing. It has light surface rust on all metal surfaces, except the blade which is in remarkable condition with a nice sharp edge and point. It has an M8 scabbard with with light surface rust covering the metal part that says M8. It has a khaki webbing belt loop, it is not the type with the hook.

I will post pics ASAP. Any opinions on this knife. This is the first one I have ever bought so opinions, incites, and information are welcome. Also curious if I got a good deal on it or not ($20).

Just bought an M3 guard marked ACC M3. Two or three of the leather bands on the handle are missing from the middle going toward the top and there is rust on the exposed metal from where the bands are missing. It has light surface rust on all metal surfaces, except the blade which is in remarkable condition with a nice sharp edge and point. It has an M8 scabbard with with light surface rust covering the metal part that says M8. It has a khaki webbing belt loop, it is not the type with the hook.

I will post pics ASAP. Any opinions on this knife. This is the first one I have ever bought so opinions, incites, and information are welcome. Also curious if I got a good deal on it or not ($20).

 

Normally I don't get too revved up over knives in that condition but the guard marked "ACC" M3 is a rare piece. So, yes, you did very well at that price. The scabbard alone is worth more than that.

 

Greg

I'm usually of the opinion that antiques should be left in the condition found; however, in the condition the handle of this knife is in, if it was mine I would have it repaired. It is a very nice knife and you only have $20 in it. There is nothing in this for me and others may not agree, but if you decide to have it repaired, I hear that this gentleman does great work with vintage military knives with leather handles:

 

Eugene Blankenship

Phone (731) 723-7575

E-mail: KnifeDoctor@aol.com

 

Congratulations on your find!

I'm usually of the opinion that antiques should be left in the condition found; however, in the condition the handle of this knife is in, if it was mine I would have it repaired. It is a very nice knife and you only have $20 in it. There is nothing in this for me and others may not agree, but if you decide to have it repaired, I hear that this gentleman does great work with vintage military knives with leather handles:

 

Eugene Blankenship

Phone (731) 723-7575

E-mail: KnifeDoctor@aol.com

 

Congratulations on your find!

 

Years ago I got a Robeson blade dated M3 that was a real heartbreaker. Somebody had gone wild on the blade with a grinder for reasons I'll never understand. It was ruined but the handle was still quite decent. That knife and a very decent M6 scabbard for fifty bucks was a deal too good to pass up but it still hurt to see what had been done to this formerly magnificent knife. I auctioned it, without the scabbard, on ebay and the high bidder turned out to be the owner of a Robeson blade marked M3 that needed a new handle, similar to this ACC. So that ended well and since it was an original Robeson handle it seemed the right thing to do.

 

Greg

I am thinking about removing the rust from the hand guard and applying rifle blueing. Will this affect its value? Should I just have the handle repaired and leave the knife as is? Any and all opinons are welcome.

Thank you

Years ago.... I purchased a minty Aerial M-3 for cheap.... cheap. After leaving the auction I commenting to a fellow collector on how strange it was for me to have got that rare Aerial for so cheap. He told me that maybe it was re-finished.... damn.... so I pulled offer and looked it over again. Not re-finished.... man was I a happy camper. The deal with any knives is to buy them in the best condition when ever possible.

I agree with Gunbarrel. It's frustrating to have such a rare knife and be disappointed everytime you look at it. Last year I restored just for fun a common Imperial replacing missing leather rings with others recovered from an Utica obtaining a zero value thing. Not a big problem to me cause I'm interested only in displaying complete pistol belts using even dummies if I can't get originals. Take a look at

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...?showtopic=1679 posts 16&18.

You may instead try to replace missing rings without remove the pommel, simply cutting in half spare rings and reglue them in place. If you want to try I can send you (for free of course) 16 assorted rings I spared from my project. As regards rusted guard and pommel, fine steel wool and oil will leave a nice patina.

I agree with Gunbarrel. It's frustrating to have such a rare knife and be disappointed everytime you look at it. Last year I restored just for fun a common Imperial replacing missing leather rings with others recovered from an Utica obtaining a zero value thing. Not a big problem to me cause I'm interested only in displaying complete pistol belts using even dummies if I can't get originals. Take a look at

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...?showtopic=1679 posts 16&18.

You may instead try to replace missing rings without remove the pommel, simply cutting in half spare rings and reglue them in place. If you want to try I can send you (for free of course) 16 assorted rings I spared from my project. As regards rusted guard and pommel, fine steel wool and oil will leave a nice patina.

Is removing the pommel hard to do? I am interested in the rings. I think I will try the steel wool and oil. What oil do you use, gun oil?

This is why I love this place.

Thank You

Give me your adress ad I'll ship rings. It's not too difficult to remove the pommel but it will ruin the handle shaft cause it's rebated on the pommel and you have to grind the shaft flush with the pommel risking to delete the flaming bomb (as I did). Moreover you will have non more material to rebate again the shaft and you have to file down the steps in order to make some metal protruding for rebating. I use gun oil for convenience but whatever kind of oil do the job.

I'll give you 30 and you will make time and a half back! Very sweet buy for 20 bucks! The handle makes a guy cry but suprisingly enough, some guys really go for damaged stuff.