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Post by The Phantom on Mar 18, 2014 6:08:24 GMT 8
I was going through small town Antique shops with my son this last weekend looking for old U.S. made tools, wood working tools in particular. They are a decent price in the small towns, and anything U.S. made pr- 1960 is a higher quality steel than anything being made today.
While in Marietta, Oklahoma, ( you know that town Okla?)I found a Machete on a shelf amongst the tools. It's in very good condition but definably used by the look of the blade and tan canvas sheath.
The information on the blade;
Legitimus Collins and Co. U.S.N. 1944 M.K.2 There is a symbol of a crown with an arm coming out of it and a hammer in the hand. The sheath also has U.S.N.-- M.K.2 in faded black ink.
The blade is 22 inches long, it's long......... The sheath in tan canvas, with brass grommets and a steel edge along the whole edge where the sharp edge of the machete slides inside. The top of the sheath is leather.
So is this a Marine machete, even though it says U.S.N.?
Would be useful on Corregidor, has good weight and thickness.
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Post by armyjunk635 on Mar 18, 2014 19:52:13 GMT 8
These machettes are pretty common, what is not common is the canvas scabbard in good condition. USMC marked scabbards are very uncommon. I have one marked "USMC E Foehlich Co Inc 1944". There are some blades marked "USMC 1944 SWI", as far as I know they are fakes made during the 70/80's. The marines would have used either a US or USN marked machette.
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Post by The Phantom on Mar 19, 2014 2:19:04 GMT 8
Thanks for the good information armyjunk. The machete may have been in an attic, at least someplace always dry, as the rust on the blade is limited to the working area of the blade.
I could get no information about how it came to be in this shop or who was it's previous owner.
The sheath also has the original thick,large opening, loop belt attachment in place, held by 2 brass grommets attaching it to the sheath. the sheath does show use, (as does the blade,) with some frayed areas, but still very functional.
The handle appears to be extremely tough black plastic?, the metal of the blade blade going though to the handle end, the black plastic? in 2 pieces held together securely by 4 brass grommets.
The machete would have severed it's owner well if in hand to hand combat with it's long reach and thick blade. This machete has a history, maybe used on the island fighting close to or on Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
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Post by cbuehler on Apr 29, 2014 0:49:32 GMT 8
As mentioned, these machetes are fairly common here in the States. The US armed forces had a variety of different Machetes in ww2. For some reason, they are rarely seen in period photos and I believe that front line combat troops did not generally use them. They are a bit long and unwieldy to be carrying around in combat situations. They were probably used more commonly by rear area troops to prepare areas for use.
CB
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Post by The Phantom on May 14, 2014 3:56:47 GMT 8
cbuehler, you may be right in your estimation of this machete's use. I'm about 6 ft tall, I put the machete with sheath, on my belt, and it hangs to just above my ankle! The bottom of the sheath is tattered a bit, the whole machete stretches 28 inches from the top of the handle to the base of the sheath. I certainly don't see many running up a beach with this item on a belt.
I just finished reading "GOODBYE DARKNESS" " A MEMOIR OF THE PACIFIC WAR" BY WILLIAM MANCHESTER". I would recommend this book highly.
Based on his description of the intense close in fighting, anywhere and anytime, on Okinawa, I would have wanted this machete nearby.
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Post by HVG on Dec 1, 2017 10:07:29 GMT 8
I have a Legitimus Collins Co. US 1942 Machete with Leather Case .The case shows Legitimus also has number 13 under the name . Can you tell me something about it .
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