{"product_id":"original-u-s-vietnam-war-era-101st-airborne-division-modified-m3-style-fighting-knife-with-101st-ab-arrow-etched-blade-m8-scabbard","title":"Original U.S. Vietnam War Era 101st Airborne Division Modified M3 Style Fighting Knife with 101st AB Arrow Etched Blade \u0026 M8 Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a very interesting custom-modified U.S. fighting knife with strong \u003cstrong\u003e101st Airborne Division\u003c\/strong\u003e association, most likely dating to the Vietnam War era. The knife appears to have originated as an \u003cstrong\u003eM3 fighting knife or M4 bayonet\u003c\/strong\u003e, but has since been extensively personalized with a reshaped blade, smooth stacked-leather grip, brass crossguard and pommel, and a hand-etched \u003cstrong\u003e101st. AB \u003c\/strong\u003emarking set within a right-facing arrow on one side of the blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knife comes in a WWII M8 Scabbard updated to the M8A1 standards. The scabbard is marked, \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. M8 \/ B.M. CO\u003c\/strong\u003e and is in very good condition, with light overall wear. The scabbard was manufactured by\u003cstrong\u003e Beckwith Mfg Co. \u003c\/strong\u003ea 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the \u003cstrong\u003ereshaped 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\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions:\u003cbr\u003eBlade length: 6 3\/4”\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Spear Point Knife\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 11 3\/4”\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 2 1\/4”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard length: 8\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46136938725445,"sku":"ONJR26OCAS009","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/CDDC5FCA-02B3-45AA-AAD7-C36DBB947780.jpg?v=1793050827","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-vietnam-war-era-101st-airborne-division-modified-m3-style-fighting-knife-with-101st-ab-arrow-etched-blade-m8-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}