Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on February 17, 2015 at 16:20

congratulations John!  That is one heck of a knife!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on February 17, 2015 at 16:24

Here are the images-

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on February 17, 2015 at 16:28

Glitch in photos--Sorry they are showing upside down--- I know Leo was having this problem a few days ago-- Right side up in original link and on my own computer files--?????oo

Permalink Reply by John w schmidt on February 17, 2015 at 16:31

Steve! How do you get the pics to be viewable? If I load three at a time only one shows up and I have to click the JPEG to see it. Am I dumb?

Permalink Reply by John w schmidt on February 17, 2015 at 16:34

John! Steve! :)

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on February 17, 2015 at 16:35

• The Aerial Cutlery Company, Marinette, Wisconsin

The following information comes mostly from their website at:

http://www.aerialcompany.com/thecompany.asp

The Aerial Cutlery Company was founded in 1912 by Fred Jaeger, Sr., who had been working as a knife salesman based in Duluth, Minnesota. He bought a knife company located in Morris, Illinois and had the operation relocated to Duluth. The Aerial name was chosen to honor a Duluth landmark, the Aerial Bridge. It was a symbol for the "high ideals, lofty aspirations, and quality products" that he envisioned for his company.

In 1913 the company was moved to Marinette, Wisconsin. Aerial began as a knife and cutlery company with a large line of knives with pictures such as nature and wildlife scenes carved into their handles. The company was a major supplier to Sears Roebuck, and also made custom designed knives. In the 1920's, Aerial was actively involved in selling barber supplies including straight razors, shears, sharpening strops and hones. During the depression days of the 1930's, Aerial began distributing a variety of other goods to keep the company alive during some very lean years, selling radios, fishing equipment, jewelry and silverware as well as their cutlery line.

During World War II, Aerial did its part to support the war efforts by manufacturing pocketknives, bayonets and military trench knives. Thousands were produced by Aerial for the Armed Forces and Aerial was honored with the prestigious Army-Navy E Award for outstanding effort and contribution.

Fred (Fritz) Jaeger, Jr. officially joined the family company in 1952. With a Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering, one of his first major tasks was designing bayonets for NATO. In 1960, eight years after Fritz Jaeger, Jr. joined the family company, the decision was made to go exclusively into distribution of beauty and barber supplies, and remains in that business today.

 

 

There are two different markings used by Aerial. The one shown in this photo is the first style, and for some time was the subject of some speculation. During World War One, bolo knives made by the American Cutlery Company of Chicago were marked ACC. In some sources the M3 knives and M4 bayonets so marked were identified as being made by American Cutlery, and it was not until fairly recent years that it was determined that this was in fact an alternate marking used by Aerial Cutlery. This one has the first type plate, and the grip is made using washers of different diameters.

 

 

This one is unusual to me in that the Aerial markings are very crude looking (note the normal style of marking in the upper left inset that I borrowed from an auction listing). I have seen one or two others with similar markings but don't know the reason for the difference. It is a later production specimen with the 2^nd type plate and V grooved grip.

 

Production contracts for Aerial were:

Quantity	Price	Award Date	Contract #	Finish Date	Notes
30,921	2.2308	07/12/1944	W11-022-ORD-474	12/1944	Conversion of M3 to M4 production
18,000	2.2308	10/30/1944	W11-022-ORD-5699	06/1945	New Award
26,977	2.2808	12/20/1944	W11-022-ORD-5720	06/1945	New Award
16,000	2.2808	03/05/1945	W11-022-ORD-5720	11/1945	Additional Award to Previous Contract
6,091	2.2308	03/24/1945	W11-022-ORD-7907	12/1945	New Award Believed Cancelled
13,000	2.0300	07/28/1945	W11-022-ORD-9320	04/1946	New Award Cancelled 08/1945

Approximate number delivered by Aerial: 91,898

Permalink Reply by John w schmidt on February 17, 2015 at 16:36

If ya tap the pic to enlarge and tap again it flips back right side up.! Wow,

Permalink Reply by John w schmidt on February 17, 2015 at 16:45

They have the lowest production numbers of all seven companies making the M-4 Bayonet.THIS WAS A FIND! I can't even find one on EBay.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on February 17, 2015 at 17:00

John, a little trick I learned here on IKC- If you are using the upload an image option tab ( as opposed to from an URL) on IKC  - Type a line of text first, even if it is like I posted earlier  " here are my photos"-After the last word of text, move your cursor to the end point there and hit enter- You should see a blank space underneath- Enter each photo in the reverse order you would like them to appear- EACH TIME going back to the last line of text and pressing enter---I know it is weird, but it works

Permalink Reply by John w schmidt on February 17, 2015 at 17:21

I feel the need to visit the Amish all of a sudden.
Guess it didn't work for me John.

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