WWIIReenacting.co.uk Forums

Hi there.

Thanks for letting me into your forums. I must say I am an Airsofter not a re enactor but I have come across something that I hope may be of interest (and value lol) within your community

During a our most recent loft clearance I came across this knife and scabbard. I have done the basics of research (wikipedia etc) and my feeling is this is a repro but I would appreciate some input from those in the know. I would have bought this in the early 1980's from an army surplus store if thats any help with dating it

This will be for sale either here (if allowed) or on ebay but I have no desire to sell anyone a "wrong un" as far as I can see if it is a repro it's a decent one and the condition should suit a re enactors load out. I can see the blade needs re bluing but otherwise it appears sound

Quick search of ebay found the scabbard for £30 starting price so hopefully this can go to someone who will appreciate it and get me an airsoft goody

Thanks for looking

Scabbard very late post war and the knife is a reproduction, as can be seen with the plastic parts on the handle.

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Long Live The New Flesh.

Hi,
To my mind its all repro, tips on securing straps, lack of makers name on scabbard throat, wartime should be BMco, normally post war 1960's say would have a metal drag tip on the bottom of it, originals also have a small VP embossed on the scabbard (victory plastics), Hope this helps Jez

I agree Jez i think the scabbard is repro too....

Regards

Lloyd

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STOP ! STOP ! STOP ! THE BOOZE IS EXPLODING !..S/Sgt Costin to the rest of the Jeep Raid Convoy somewhere near Bricquebeq...Normandy 2010

Here's mine, Beckwith manufacturing company late war

Victory plastics mark on reverse of scabbard

Jez look under the scabbard throat "ears" and on the back of the scabbard for any other small markings....

You can date these scabbards from these....

any VP numbers or anything ?

regards

Lloyd

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STOP ! STOP ! STOP ! THE BOOZE IS EXPLODING !..S/Sgt Costin to the rest of the Jeep Raid Convoy somewhere near Bricquebeq...Normandy 2010

Mine's like that, except it doesn't have the A1, does that mean it's earlier?

Yes....short hanger , long hanger , belt hook or no belt hook.....? metal end "drag" protector or not ?

Also any other markings

PS Jez thats nice...with the V P markings on....


regards

Lloyd

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STOP ! STOP ! STOP ! THE BOOZE IS EXPLODING !..S/Sgt Costin to the rest of the Jeep Raid Convoy somewhere near Bricquebeq...Normandy 2010

Ok, well here are pics of it, was my Grandad's, he was in the 2nd Bt West Yorkshire 5th Indinan Infantry Div, so i ave no idea why he had a US knife!

Hi Lloyd,
Yep throat underside marking B4/1N very late war I think?

Very nice early M3 with M8 short hanger scabbard....

any blade markings on the knife...and look on the underside of the scabbard "ears" for any other markings....also on the "pommel" on top of the knife look at it end on blade down for the ord flaming bomb mark

Regards

Lloyd

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STOP ! STOP ! STOP ! THE BOOZE IS EXPLODING !..S/Sgt Costin to the rest of the Jeep Raid Convoy somewhere near Bricquebeq...Normandy 2010

Jez those codes are a /batch / month /year stamp but no ones actually managed to work them out yet...

I will do some research

Regards

Lloyd

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STOP ! STOP ! STOP ! THE BOOZE IS EXPLODING !..S/Sgt Costin to the rest of the Jeep Raid Convoy somewhere near Bricquebeq...Normandy 2010

Ok, looks like a BN with an 8 underneath on the underside of the scabbard ears. Got a sort of squared off flaming bomb on the top of the hilt. Can't see any other markings at all. There might be a scratched in mark on the back of the scabbard, thta is either an M or an oriental character, but this is dubious.

Cheers Lloyd, I'll have a look on the US site bayonet points as well
Looks like the knife markings on blue knights were on the now missing cross guard, unusual for that to be gone, normally the washers go!

That would be my brother breaking it many years ago!