Looking for a WWII USMC Paratrooper knife?

M

MUDZJ

Joined
Jul 21, 2004
Messages
2
Can anyone point me in the right direction. Supposedly made by Western and was on the history channel the other day. I have already emailed Emery to see if he can find it or not. :p
 
Last one I saw sold was in excellent condition and went for $3500.00 and sold quickly. Be prepared to pay when you do see one.

All the best
Frank Trzaska
 
does any one have a picture of this knife, im a bladesmith and would like to reproduce it. so any pictures would be great
 
The model #W31 "Parachutist" knife is shown on page 148 in the book THE KNIFE MAKERS WHO WENT WEST by Harvey Platts.
While I was working for Camillus someone inquired about having a reproduction made.
Frank is correct. These knives are rarely offered for sale and when they are they bring top dollar.

Tom Williams
 
Some more pictures of the parachutist knife can be found in the following books;

MILITARY KNIVES A REFERENCE BOOK page 40

KNIVES of the United States Military WORLD WAR II by Michael W. Silvey page 240

THE BEST OF U.S. MILITARY KNIVES BAYONETS & MACHETES by M. H. COLE
pages 82, 84.

The blade length seems to vary from 4 1/8th reported in the 1945 catalog sheet to the measured length of 4 3/16th . The LOA is 8 5/8. 15/16 wide and 3/32 thick. The handle is made of Cocobola wood. The guard (1 5/16 x 1/2) and pommel are made of aluminum. Of the six different knives represented in the above books including (The knife makers who went west), all of the pommels while birds head in design are unique in finished shape. Also this knife incorporates Westerns two tang design.

As has been already said, this knife is rare and commands high prices. IMHO anyone attempting to present a remake of such a piece needs to consider a good way to not only represent such a knife but also make it unique and documented to distinguish it from the originals.
 
sac troop said:
IMHO anyone attempting to present a remake of such a piece needs to consider a good way to not only represent such a knife but also make it unique and documented to distinguish it from the originals.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry about that sac troop; I am confident no cutlers left in America would attempt the two tang (split tang) construction again!
 
You make a good point Phil. With the wood handle you wouldn't need to make it a split tang. Use the two pins to hold the pommel and the solid tang is undercover. A couple of nice brass pins to secure the wood and I don't think that would take away from the over all look of the knife. At the same time that would be a signature for the new knife
 
sac troop said:
Some more pictures of the parachutist knife can be found in the following books;

MILITARY KNIVES A REFERENCE BOOK page 40

KNIVES of the United States Military WORLD WAR II by Michael W. Silvey page 240

THE BEST OF U.S. MILITARY KNIVES BAYONETS & MACHETES by M. H. COLE
pages 82, 84.

The blade length seems to vary from 4 1/8th reported in the 1945 catalog sheet to the measured length of 4 3/16th . The LOA is 8 5/8. 15/16 wide and 3/32 thick. The handle is made of Cocobola wood. The guard (1 5/16 x 1/2) and pommel are made of aluminum. Of the six different knives represented in the above books including (The knife makers who went west), all of the pommels while birds head in design are unique in finished shape. Also this knife incorporates Westerns two tang design.

As has been already said, this knife is rare and commands high prices. IMHO anyone attempting to present a remake of such a piece needs to consider a good way to not only represent such a knife but also make it unique and documented to distinguish it from the originals.
Click to expand...

I see by all this that you probably wouldn't want an original, Mike...so if you run across one cheap at someone's yard sale, feel free to send it on to me. I'll pay postage and even throw in a couple McDisease coupons.
 
Approximately 10 years ago I had a customer contact Camillus and ask if we could make a reproduction of the model #W31 USMC Paratrooper's knife. I went through all the military knife books and photocopied illustrations and descriptions of the knife and asked the engineering department for a price quote. After several weeks of no response or negative comments I gave up trying to get a cost. Phil will know who I am talking about.

Tom Williams
 
sven56 said:
I see by all this that you probably wouldn't want an original, Mike...so if you run across one cheap at someone's yard sale, feel free to send it on to me. I'll pay postage and even throw in a couple McDisease coupons.
Click to expand...

OK so the next time I run across one of these at a garage sale I promise you'll be the first I call. But I'm thinking of holding out for at least a third coupon.:p
 
Funny there's one up on auction on you know where. sven56 I don't think I'll be calling after this auction ends. I just checked the cushions in my living room and no dice.
:rolleyes:
 
Yeah, I'd buy a lotto ticket and hope for the best, but I don't know if I could even swing that these days...
 
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