Original U.S. Vietnam War Era 101st Airborne Division Modified M3 Style Fighting Knife with 101st AB Arrow Etched Blade & M8 Scabbard
-
Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a very interesting custom-modified U.S. fighting knife with strong 101st Airborne Division association, most likely dating to the Vietnam War era. The knife appears to have originated as an M3 fighting knife or M4 bayonet, but has since been extensively personalized with a reshaped blade, smooth stacked-leather grip, brass crossguard and pommel, and a hand-etched 101st. AB marking set within a right-facing arrow on one side of the blade.
The knife has a 6 ¾” blade sharpened into the profile of the M3 or M4 knife/bayonet. The overall length is now 11 ¾”. The brass pommel is rounded but machine marks are visible on all sides. There is an added leather blade buffer.
The knife comes in a WWII M8 Scabbard updated to the M8A1 standards. The scabbard is marked, U.S. M8 / B.M. CO and is in very good condition, with light overall wear. The scabbard was manufactured by Beckwith Mfg Co. a division of Victory Plastics. This is the earlier pattern of the scabbard, without the retaining loop, though it was later updated to have one. These feature a thermoplastic impregnated cotton fabric body, metal throat, and canvas frog and securing strap. The scabbard is still fully functional, with a functional retaining strap, but does show wear and use. There is an attached leather leg tie down from the Vietnam War era.
The combination of the reshaped M3/M4-style blade, 101st AB arrow etching, smooth stacked-leather grip, brass crossguard and pommel, added leather blade buffer, original B.M. Co. M8 scabbard with later hanger modification, and Vietnam-era leather leg tie makes this a particularly unusual personalized fighting knife. Although the exact identity of the original owner remains unknown, the surviving modifications and airborne-themed blade marking give the piece strong character and an excellent avenue for further research.
Dimensions:
Blade length: 6 3/4”
Blade Style: Spear Point Knife
Overall length: 11 3/4”
Crossguard: 2 1/4”
Scabbard length: 8"
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
We Buy Military Antiques
Our team expert buyers travels the world to pay fair prices for entire estate collections to singular items.
START SELLING TODAY
