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
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature with no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
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.
gregM
Live to ride -- Ride to live
I was addicted to the "Hokey-Pokey" but I've turned
myself around.
Yeah, hard to find without the zinc disease. Now up for a Case V-42, or do you already own one?
Greg,
This is a great looking display you have here.. Well done..
Smitty
I found the initials PMC scratched into the sheath.
According to the Raider Assoc. member roster, there were two Raiders with those initials.
One died on Guadalcanal when a coconut tree fell on his tent. The other survived the war
and went on to have a long career with the NSA.
gregM
Live to ride -- Ride to live
I was addicted to the "Hokey-Pokey" but I've turned
myself around.
One of the best trained elite corpses. It probably costed a small fortune and even more energy and will to get in shape and condition, and fulfil his course. And after all this... You get killed by a coconut tree.
I think he had quite a conversation with his Maker after passing away.
A beautiful knife with lots of character. I was not aware of an American F&S style dagger. A pity zinc was used for the grip, but cudos to you and the previous owners that the knife still is in this condition. When it left the factory, did the grip have a finish, black for instance? Or just the plain zinc? I guess if it had, it was all eaten by the zinc, just like late war German medals and orders.
I suggest keeping the petroleum jelly at hand?
Thanks for showing this rare item!
Martin
Thank you Martin.
Most of the hilts were plain however a small number that were issued
to the Canadian 1st Parachute Battalion were painted black.
gregM
Live to ride -- Ride to live
I was addicted to the "Hokey-Pokey" but I've turned
myself around.
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