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Military Knives

I have a modest collection of British military knives from WWI and WWII. Does anyone else collect military knives? If so, please post them here. Folders and fixed blades welcome. It would be great to see them.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on May 31, 2012 at 20:18

Not from World War II but it is what I carried while with 1/54 infantry in Bamberg Germany, Top to bottom left to right, Camillus Mk II Fighting Knife,P-38 can opener, BDR Pocket knife (CCM) and WWI issued Mess kit knife which made a real nice boot knife. The flashlight was BDR issue and the name plaque was made from an M113 track pad

Permalink Reply by Smiling-Knife on June 1, 2012 at 9:49

Thanks for the very interesting post Tobias.

These are British Navy knives. The first is the Admiralty Pattern 301. These were the standard issue Royal Navy knives from 1910 through to the start of WWII. In the 1930s the same pattern had chequered alloy scales. Then the smaller all metal knife shown in the last two photos was the standard issue during WWII.

Permalink Reply by Sue OldsWidow on June 1, 2012 at 12:17

nice history pieces....

Permalink Reply by Smiling-Knife on June 1, 2012 at 12:33

Thanks Sue.

This is the same pattern also made by Jos Rodgers a few years earlier in 1940. I like that the sailor put his name on it. He is not anyone I know, but somehow it makes a personal connection. When I look at it, I wonder about him.

Permalink Reply by Lee Saunders on June 1, 2012 at 14:02

I am always surprised when I start pulling out my knives. I like Military knives a lot because they are made for work, fit to a task. And they last!

I do often get confused between some of the Navy type of knives and some of the pruners and Hawkbills especially when the blades get worn down and reworked. In fact, I think I have a pruner in this mix now that I look....oooops.

The Group:

I only have one Marline Spike, I have to start buying some more if I can find some nice knives.

A few Non-spike Navy and Coast Guard (approved) knives:

Below are U.S. Coast Guard approved knives:

The last ones are U.S. and U.K. Navy or rope knives. Both with real nice stag.

The U.K. knife is larger and heavier. The U.S. knife is a Civil War era knife from Russell and has what is left of an etched blade. It use to say Navy Knife.

Permalink Reply by Lee Saunders on June 1, 2012 at 17:28

My knife with the Marline Spike is a Hale Brothers knife. The opposite side of the tang is stamped with their TIP and that great logo that looks kinda like an ice cream cone.

Just can't get a clear pic of the TIP and logo

And I just can't figure out the use of this small blade on that knife. It has a little handle on it which should help it to open easily. The blade nests in front of the primary.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on June 1, 2012 at 19:58

The little blade is called a tin cutter. Believe it or not it is an early can opener

Lee Saunders said:

And I just can't figure out the use of this small blade on that knife. It has a little handle on it which should help it to open easily. The blade nests in front of the primary.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on June 1, 2012 at 20:13

I guess I'll add a few.

A WWI Pattern: 6353/1905 by Westby.

A WWII (1943) Pattern 317 by W S&B

Essentially a 6353/1905 made in Canada by Case Subsidiary MS LTD in 1948 These are often mistaken as WWII veterans but this tang stamp is post WWII

all of my riggers and more info on the patterns is at my Sailing Knife page: http://rigger.hegewisch.net/index.html

Permalink Reply by Lee Saunders on June 1, 2012 at 20:58

Thanks Tobias! That makes a lot of sense actually. And thanks for the link.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 2, 2012 at 1:31

U.S. military utility
Ulster Knife Co.
C. 1942/43

http://www.iknifecollector.com/photo/albums/ulster-mountan-knife

Re: Levine's 3rd ed. pg 255 / 5th ed. pg 289.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 2, 2012 at 1:48

http://www.iknifecollector.com/photo/albums/pre-tactical

A Vietnam era std issue Pilots knife .. issued to my brother-in-law .. medivac heli pilot.

A Catt 225Q .. not produced under military contract .. purchased by local Quartermasters.

A PAL RH-36 .. not produced under military contract .. popular w/ the troops of the time.

Permalink Reply by Smiling-Knife on June 2, 2012 at 7:09

Thanks for your posts. The knives are great.

This one was made by Thomas Turner & Co for the Canadian Forces. The Broad Arrow inside the C is the Canadian GI mark. M & D was for Militia and Defence