Item Description
Original Items: Only one available. These types of knives are extremely rare on today's market, and this one has also had some great theater modifications made! The large capital ships needed to have skilled fabricators on board to make repairs and modifications to weapons and gear. In this case, the handle of the knife was damaged, or the owner may have just wanted a different grip. The original handle was removed, and the original tang and crossguard were then secured with a new round cast aluminum grip.
The grip was also personalized, with the names of Islands visited in the Pacific theater engraved onto the sides. One side reads Espiritu Santo - New Hebrides, while the other reads Manus - Admiralty Islands. The first island was very important as an Allied base during the War, while the second was part of the Admiralty Islands campaign, which lasted 29 February 1944–18 May 1944.
Made by Collins & Co. of Hartford, Conn, this is a theater modified LEGITIMUS model No. 18 V-44 type Machete with a custom aluminum handle. This Bowie style knife measures 14 1/2 inches long overall, with a 9 3/8 inch clip point blade. Blade is 2 inches wide at the widest point. It is offered in very good used condition, complete with leather sheath. The ricasso is nicely marked:
COLLINS & CO
LEGITIMUS
MADE IN U.S.A.
No. 18
The blade is in very good condition, though does show use. The tip is worn, and there is oxidation and wear on the forward portion of the blade. It does look to have been sharpened while in service.
The leather sheath is also faintly embossed with the COLLINS & CO. / LEGITUMUS name around the trademark logo, and is their style 13 sheath. The leather is is in very good condition, with just a bit of the usual age-related deterioration. The ornate tooled embossing is still mostly visible as well. The belt loop was replaced at some point, and a new wider one installed, however one of the rivets has pulled out.
This really is a great example of one of these knives, customized for the war! This would make a perfect addition to any WWII edged weapon collection.
Dimensions:
Blade length: 9 3/4”
Overall length: 14 1/2”
Crossguard: 4 1/2”
Scabbard length: 10 1/4" with belt loop
Many people think that these were exclusively used by the Marine Corps, and while that is true the connection to the USMC is only a minimal fraction of this blades history. It's principle legacy lies within the Army Air Corp or Army Air Force depending on the era you are referencing. Following the declaration of war in December 1941 emergency procurement were made to include the procurement of 9 inch machetes the Collins #18 being one manufacture. The Collins #18 would have been acquired by the AAF at this time to fill emergency requisitions to supply new contracts of the old type emergency parachute kits and to supplement other kits until the 10 inch folding machete became available.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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