This is a 1961 US Navy SEAL and UDT knife made by Imperial Knife Company. What I found on the net according to the collectors reference book, The Best Of US Military Knives, Bayonets and Machetes by M.H Cole - "it is the rarest U.S military issue knife ever made", with only about 1,156 of them being produced. Because of their non-magnetic / non-sparking / non-corrosive properties they were only issued mission-specific, not handed out to every SEAL or UDT personnel. This particular one has a very low serial number, #113. The only other one I could find info for on the net had sold years ago for over $1500, with a serial number in the 500's.
I have owned this for over 30 years. I knew it was a special knife when I got it, but didn't know how special until I looked for info to sell it. I bought it in 1979 from a fellow diver that was selling all of his dive gear. He had been a Navy Seal early on in Vietnam. He said that he had dived many times with this knife but had never really used it, and that it never corroded, and that it never would corrode or rust (this was long before titanium dive knives). I dived with it strapped to the leg of my wetsuit for most of these last 30 years, literally hundreds of dives here on the California coast, and it has not changed one bit. There is absolutely no sign of corrosion, rust or wear, the grey finish has not changed at all, nothing has changed on any part of this knife since the day I got it. That is remarkable, since every other piece of dive gear that I have ever owned has been replaced several times over the years due to the salt water damage, including several smaller stainless steel utility dive knives that I would also carry and used extensively. This big knife was mostly for security, we sport divers rarely need to use one this large. Every avid diver knows what I am talking about. Injury has ended my diving so I am selling all of my gear now. The other good news is that besides never using this knife, I have never sharpened or polished it. Just a fresh water rinse at the end of each dive day. The edge feels sharp and clean all the way around and the grey parkerizing is also unchanged. There are no dings, dents or serious scratches whatsoever. I don't know what mint would mean for one of these, you collectors would know better, but I would say that it is in excellent condition. If you need any other photos just tell me what you want detail of and send me your email address.
I will pay for insured shipping in the US, or ship international, anywhere in the world for exactly the shipping cost (insured due to the value), no added handling fees, and I will accept any payment method, paypal preferred. The package should not weigh more than about three pounds. Ask any questions.
Here is the description from the reference book:" Type: Put in. Blade: 187mm (7-3/8 inch) in length. Double-edged dagger form blade with one plain sharp edge and one serrated edge (52 teeth, 9 tpi). Blade is non-magnetic and non-sparking, made from hot rolled tungsten cobalt alloy (Haynes Alloy No. 25) with a parkerized non-reflective, light grey finish. Inscription: 2-1/2 inch stainless steel (type 310). Cross-guard marked U.S. NONMAGNETIC (with non-magnetic symbol); Serial No. ----/61 Imperial. Later batches have an additional code number and no makers name. Sheath: Made of grey plastic fiberglass and non ferrous alloy with webbing and two brass studded retaining loops. Sheath is marked: U.S. NONMAGNETIC (with non-magnetic symbol) Imperial. 1981 and 1983 contract scabbards are marked slightly differently. Handle: 4-1/2 inch grey plastic fibreglass handle capped with a pinned stainless steel (type 310) pommel. Remarks: This non-magnetic knife was issued to the U.S. Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) and navy SEALS. Around 1,156 of these Imperial knives were ordered in 1961 at a cost of $99.67 each. Later batch quantities are very low by comparison. It is the rarest of the U.S. military issue knives".
Also, just above the 6 inch mark of the wooden ruler you can see what looks like a 1/4" notch into the blade edge. Someone thought this was damage. It is a line cutter, an underwater rescue safety feature common to dive knives and rescue tools. Thanks a lot for pointing it out so I could clarify for all that this blade is not damaged. There is no damage to any part of the knife or sheath. It is clear to me as I am sure it is to any diver....but I should have realized that not all of us are crazy enough to be divers.
I am asking $3500.
I have owned this for over 30 years. I knew it was a special knife when I got it, but didn't know how special until I looked for info to sell it. I bought it in 1979 from a fellow diver that was selling all of his dive gear. He had been a Navy Seal early on in Vietnam. He said that he had dived many times with this knife but had never really used it, and that it never corroded, and that it never would corrode or rust (this was long before titanium dive knives). I dived with it strapped to the leg of my wetsuit for most of these last 30 years, literally hundreds of dives here on the California coast, and it has not changed one bit. There is absolutely no sign of corrosion, rust or wear, the grey finish has not changed at all, nothing has changed on any part of this knife since the day I got it. That is remarkable, since every other piece of dive gear that I have ever owned has been replaced several times over the years due to the salt water damage, including several smaller stainless steel utility dive knives that I would also carry and used extensively. This big knife was mostly for security, we sport divers rarely need to use one this large. Every avid diver knows what I am talking about. Injury has ended my diving so I am selling all of my gear now. The other good news is that besides never using this knife, I have never sharpened or polished it. Just a fresh water rinse at the end of each dive day. The edge feels sharp and clean all the way around and the grey parkerizing is also unchanged. There are no dings, dents or serious scratches whatsoever. I don't know what mint would mean for one of these, you collectors would know better, but I would say that it is in excellent condition. If you need any other photos just tell me what you want detail of and send me your email address.
I will pay for insured shipping in the US, or ship international, anywhere in the world for exactly the shipping cost (insured due to the value), no added handling fees, and I will accept any payment method, paypal preferred. The package should not weigh more than about three pounds. Ask any questions.
Here is the description from the reference book:" Type: Put in. Blade: 187mm (7-3/8 inch) in length. Double-edged dagger form blade with one plain sharp edge and one serrated edge (52 teeth, 9 tpi). Blade is non-magnetic and non-sparking, made from hot rolled tungsten cobalt alloy (Haynes Alloy No. 25) with a parkerized non-reflective, light grey finish. Inscription: 2-1/2 inch stainless steel (type 310). Cross-guard marked U.S. NONMAGNETIC (with non-magnetic symbol); Serial No. ----/61 Imperial. Later batches have an additional code number and no makers name. Sheath: Made of grey plastic fiberglass and non ferrous alloy with webbing and two brass studded retaining loops. Sheath is marked: U.S. NONMAGNETIC (with non-magnetic symbol) Imperial. 1981 and 1983 contract scabbards are marked slightly differently. Handle: 4-1/2 inch grey plastic fibreglass handle capped with a pinned stainless steel (type 310) pommel. Remarks: This non-magnetic knife was issued to the U.S. Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) and navy SEALS. Around 1,156 of these Imperial knives were ordered in 1961 at a cost of $99.67 each. Later batch quantities are very low by comparison. It is the rarest of the U.S. military issue knives".
Also, just above the 6 inch mark of the wooden ruler you can see what looks like a 1/4" notch into the blade edge. Someone thought this was damage. It is a line cutter, an underwater rescue safety feature common to dive knives and rescue tools. Thanks a lot for pointing it out so I could clarify for all that this blade is not damaged. There is no damage to any part of the knife or sheath. It is clear to me as I am sure it is to any diver....but I should have realized that not all of us are crazy enough to be divers.
I am asking $3500.
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