Marine Raider Stiletto

[Chopperman]

A great addition to your collection Greg!
As I said, I was considering buying this example myself, glad it went to you.
Ralph.

Thanks Ralph,
I've had this one on my radar for about a year and when he offered it to
me at a reduced price, I couldn't say no.

[Watchdog]

Nice catch Greg

I don't have great knowledge of fighting knives hence this rather schoolboy question; Is that officially "copied" from the Fairbairn Sykes, inspired by it or just a random coincidence?

Are they as rare / collectible as the FS types?

Thanks for showing an unusual (to me anyway) piece.

Regards

Mark

[Chopperman]

Thanks Mark.
The Raider knife was designed by a USMC Lt. Colonel who did indeed copy it from
the F-S daggers. However he changed the material specifications to include a molded
on zinc aluminum handle in an effort to reduce production costs.

They were issued to the USMC 1st and 2nd Raider Battalions, 1st Marine Division Scout Snipers,
some members of the 1st Marine Parachute Battalion and issued to the Canadian 1st Parachute Battalion in Europe.

There were only 14,300 made which is just a fraction of the number of F-S knives produced.
Finding these with the handles intact is not easy. Over the years, on a majority of these,
the alloy handles and cross guards start to deteriorate and fall apart. I got lucky with this one.

[Kilian]

Yeah, hard to find without the zinc disease. Now up for a Case V-42, or do you already own one?

[Rakkasan187]

Greg,

This is a great looking display you have here.. Well done..

Smitty

[Chopperman]

Greg,

This is a great looking display you have here.. Well done..

Smitty

Thanks Smitty.
I appreciate your help on this one.

[Chopperman]

Yeah, hard to find without the zinc disease. Now up for a Case V-42, or do you already own one?

That's been on my wish list for 30+ years.
They are just way out of my price range. But I keep searching