An excellent rare, original Australian made WW2 V-44 Type Combat / Survival Bowie Knife & Scabbard. These Australian made knives were made for Australian forces and for U.S. Troops. All of the Australian V-44 type knives examined resemble U.S Case Cutlery (New York) V-44 examples (see page 135 of ‘United States Military Knives Collectors Guide’ by Silvey & Boyd where a Mars Machine Tools Brisbane V-44 type knife is illustrated). Officially a survival knife Australian & U.S. Marine Corps used them as a fighting knife against the Japanese in the Pacific theatre of war. It is a huge knife measuring 14 ¼” in length and with a black synthetic handle secured by 3 brass rivets. It has a brass cross guard with ball ends. It has a 9 ¼” long, broad steel bowie blade with falchion - style tip and twin narrow fullers. The blade has areas of light staining consistent with age and is very sharp. One side of the blade is signed by the maker ‘Mars Machine Tools Brisbane’ (Australia). It is accompanied by its leather open top scabbard with rear brass riveted belt loop. All leather and stitching of the scabbard are intact. There are no manufacturer marks on the scabbard. The price for this rare WW2 era Combat / Survival knife includes UK delivery. Sn 21631 (American Knives Box)
£895.00