This is general known as the V-44 Survival Knife that was originally developed in 1934 for and issued to flying personnel to carry in a jungle bail-out kit attached to the seat pack and later to the parachute harness. The original knives were manufactured through 1942. It is also sometimes more correctly referred to as the Model 18. It was most famously utilized by US jungle fighters in the Pacific theater of operations; most notably by the 2^nd Marine Raider Battalion. Several companies made this knife. This example is manufactured by Case and carries the CASE XX logo. It has the rarer and highly sought-after brass cross guard. The handle is of the black molded variety. The knife is large, heavy and has a very intimidating look and feel; a factor that helped to make it popular with the troops who were fortunate enough to carry one. It shows slight sharpening and is in VG+ condition. The sheath is brown leather, stitched in the rear with a small tear at the throat where the owner made a rawhide keeper for it. It has the following hand-written inscription inked on the rear of the sheath: "USMC 4 Bgt 2By/ Canal, Bouganville” with a hand drawn Raider insignia. It is readable, however too light to photo well. For references please see Coles III Pages 136-137 and Silvey Page 77.