RARE** Sterile WW2 U.S. Collins No. 1253 Type 1 Paratroop & Office Of Strategic Command (O.S.S. Special Forces) Machete With Wrist Cord & Original Leather Scabbard With Integral Frog. Sn 23399 Knive

**RARE** Sterile WW2 U.S. Collins No. 1253 Type 1 Paratroop & Office Of Strategic Command (O.S.S. Special Forces) Machete With Wrist Cord & Original Leather Scabbard With Integral Frog. Sn 23399 - 23399

This is an original WW2 American OSS machete with its original correct scabbard, see page 163 of Cole’s Book III U.S. Military knives where a machete the same as ours is illustrated & he states ‘an unmarked machete said to have been made for the O.S.S to be used in the Philippines, and supposed issued to Philippine troops being trained in the U.S. These troops were to be parachuted into the Philippines or come in by submarine. If captured, the unmarked weapon would not reveal the country of origin’ (see image 2). Also see pages 139 to 144 of Collins Machetes & Bowies 1845-1965 by D.E. Henry. Henry states that these Collins Machetes were made for Curver mfg. Co. USA and that the blades were un-marked. On page 41 Collins No. 1253 Paratroop machete variants are illustrated. Ours is identical to the Type 1 machete in the illustration (see image 1). Our example is excellent and undamaged. It has the correct Burmese Dahl form 16 ¼” long, single edged blade with heavy tip constructed so that the weight is at the tip- effective in strengthening the slashing stroke of the weapon. The blade retains its original parkerised finish and is sharp with no damage to the cutting edge. The hilt is moulded black plastic & has the correct chequered panels and hole for wrist strap & fitted with leather wrist cord. The machete measures 22 ¼” overall length. Its original scabbard is correctly leather with heavy duty stitching and integral belt loop. As is usual with special forces equipment, both the machete and scabbard are sterile having no manufacturer, Unit or War Dept marks. All leather & stitching of the scabbard are intact. The price for this WW2 Paratroop / O.S.S. weapon and scabbard rarely seen on the collector's market includes UK delivery. Sn 23399 (in FS box)

£845.00