Original U.S. WWII Naval Construction Battalion Custom Knuckle Knife with Sharpened Knuckles & Protective Scabbard Identified to Seabee Paul Russell Kerr with Original Photograph
In stock
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. Theater knives are knives made by military personnel in the various theaters of war. Each knife is unique in its own way due to the maker's style, preferences and materials available. Most theater knives were made from spare parts, wreckage, tools and already existing blades. These knives were made by the armorers and engineers on request. The larger ships needed to have skilled fabricators on board to make repairs and modifications to weapons and gear. Usually the blades were made from existing weapons or from steel components, and the hilts were cast from metals such as aluminum or zinc.
This is a very interesting and deadly custom-made knuckle fighting knife with a great custom scabbard identified by the serial number on the scabbard to Navy Seabee Motor Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Paul Russell Kerr. The knife has a bone grip, a very long double-sided blade, and a wide D-Guard with five long and sharpened spikes. The blade and D-guard are actually the same piece of metal tooled down. Another piece was added as a base for the grip, with two pieces of carved bone held in by three brass rivets. The knife comes with an original portrait of Kerr in his Naval uniform.
The knife sports a 9⅛” blade which is double-edged, measuring 1¾” wide at its widest. The blade has been heavily sharpened and tooled, and is extremely sharp. The spikes measure 1 ½” long and are very intimidating. There is a bulge at the pommel. The knife is 14 ⅝” overall.
The scabbard was custom made for the knife, measuring 16 ¾” overall including the belt loop which acts as another scabbard for the spikes. It is very massive but the belt loops are in good shape. There is heavy scuffing and wear to the scabbard, but it is stamped near the top edge 7568883, Kerr’s Navy serial number.
We found a newspaper article photograph showing men signing up for the naval reserve, and at the right end is Kerr in his uniform with a Seabee patch and rate visible, a lucky coincidence. With the knife is an 8 x 10” portrait of Kerr in uniform. There is also some research documentation on Kerr and his unit, the 302nd Naval Construction Battalion, or Seabees. There is a complete history of the battalion included.
This is an outstanding custom-made knuckle knife identified to a Seabee, ready for display!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 9 1/8"
Overall length: 14 5/8”
Scabbard Length: 16 ¾”
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- Stored and shipped from our PA location; not available in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Please check all local laws before ordering.
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