{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwi-model-1917-bolo-knife-by-plumb-st-louis-with-canvas-scabbard-dated-1922","title":"Original U.S. WWI Model 1917 Bolo Knife by Plumb St. Louis with Canvas Scabbard - Dated 1918","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice Model 1917 C.T. Bolo manufactured by Fayette R. Plumb Inc, whose factory was in St. Louis, Missouri. They had another factory in the Bridesburg region of Philadelphia, PA. as well, and 1917 bolos were produced in both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis model was a moderate simplification of the earlier 1910 Bolo made by Springfield Armory. The main difference is the lack of the catch mechanism on the scabbard and grip, though the crossguard still had a hole so that it could be used with earlier scabbards. It was manufactured by contractors such as Plumb and A.C. Co. The blade ricasso is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePLUMB\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSt. Louis\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e (partially obfuscated) \u003cstrong\u003e1918\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse is marked:\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade and ricasso still have most of the original black finish, and are in good condition. There is however definitely wear, oxidation and this blade has been sharpened multiple times, which has changed the blade profile a bit. The main edge is sharpened from both sides along the entire edge, and the blade is definitely a bit lighter and narrower now. This has also removed some of the markings on the ricasso.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grip is in very good condition, and shows wear due to use and cleaning. Most of the original ribbed texture has been worn away, and the wood is a bit of a darker shade due to weathering. The two securing screws are still firmly attached, just how we like to see them.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather tip of the canvas scabbard sleeve is deeply marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAK-Co.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1918\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH.H.S\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard is in good condition, with no real issues with the canvas or leather portions aside from the expected wear from 100 years of age, and a bit of fabric shrinking.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interesting part of the scabbard is that the doughboy who carried it inscribed the back as a sort of “travel journal”. The back reads : “USED IN WAR OF 1918” and below “APRIL 6” (which we believe is intended to be interpreted as the date which the GI reached France or the Front Lines). At the hanger is written “ SICK IN 9 NOVEMBER 1918”..which would (we assume) indicates his departure from frontline service. An interesting added element which offers a more human element to an otherwise regulation item.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall in great condition for its age, comes ready to display!\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eKnife Blade Length: 10”\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBlade Width at Widest Point: 2”\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCrossguard Length: 3 ½”\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGrip Length: 4 ½”\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOverall Length: 14 ½”\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eScabbard Length: 11”\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eScabbard Width: 3”\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTotal Length While In Scabbard: 16”\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA bolo is a large cutting tool of Filipino origin similar to the machete. It is used particularly in the Philippines, the jungles of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, as well as in the sugar fields of Cuba.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary use for the bolo is clearing vegetation, whether for agriculture or during trail blazing. The bolo is also used in Filipino martial arts or Arnis as part of training.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBolos are characterized by having a native hardwood or animal horn handle (such as from the carabao), a full tang, and by a steel blade that both curves and widens, often considerably so, at its tip. This moves the centre of gravity as far forward as possible, giving the bolo extra momentum for chopping.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo-called \"jungle bolos\", intended for combat rather than agricultural work, tend to be longer and less wide at the tip. Bolos for gardening usually have rounded tips.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has been claimed by some historians that Lapulapu, during the Battle of Mactan, brandished a kampilan to kill Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, though other historians dispute this. The bolo was the primary weapon used by the Katipunan during the Philippine Revolution. It was also used by the Filipino guerrillas and bolomen during the Philippine–American War.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring World War I, United States Army soldier Henry Johnson gained international fame repelling a German raid in hand-to-hand combat using a bolo.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring World War II, the 1st Filipino Regiment was called the Bolo Battalion and used bolos for close quarters combat.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 7 December 1972, would-be assassin Carlito Dimahilig used a bolo to attack former First Lady Imelda Marcos as she appeared onstage at a live televised awards ceremony. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDimahilig stabbed Marcos in the abdomen several times, and she parried the blows with her arms. He was shot dead by security forces while she was taken to a hospital.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bolo serves as a symbol for the Katipunan and the Philippine Revolution, particularly the Cry of Pugad Lawin. Several monuments of Andres Bonifacio, as with other notable Katipuneros, depict him holding a bolo in one hand and the Katipunan flag in the other.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40312005492805,"sku":"ONJR22MPS002","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/products\/ONJR22MPS002__02.jpg?v=1663172737","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwi-model-1917-bolo-knife-by-plumb-st-louis-with-canvas-scabbard-dated-1922","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}