Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent original U.S. WWI Model 1917 C.T. Bolo Knife manufactured by Plumb at its St. Louis facility and paired with a scarce all-steel Model 1918 scabbard manufactured by Landers, Frary & Clark. Both the bolo and scabbard are dated 1918, making this a particularly attractive and well-matched First World War field tool set.

The Model 1917 C.T. was a simplified development of the earlier U.S. Model 1910 bolo manufactured by Springfield Armory. The basic heavy chopping blade and broad wooden grip were retained, but the complicated scabbard-retaining catch built into the Model 1910 grip was eliminated to simplify wartime production.

The blade ricasso of this example is marked:

PLUMB
ST. LOUIS
1918

The reverse is marked:

U.S. MOD.
1917 C.T.

Blade and ricasso still have much of the original black finish, and are in good condition. It has seen some level of use and sharpening, which has removed the finish from the edge, and it may have been reapplied with finish at one point. There is also the usual runner wear on both sides of the blade. The main edge of the model 1917, such as this one, is mostly ground from one side, while the other side was left flat.

The grip is in good condition, with little of the original "ribbed texture, and a nice color. Just how we like to see them, with screws still holding both sides tightly.

The scabbard is an all steel example with leather belt hanger with the standard wire hanger for the pistol belt. The scabbard is marked as being made by Landers, Frary & Clark and is dated 1918.

The scabbard is in very good condition, with no real issues with the steel or leather portions aside from the expected wear from 100 years of age, and a bit of paint wear. Really a great example of one of these scabbards.

The Model 1917 bolo was intended principally as a heavy-duty field tool rather than a fighting knife. It was issued to troops whose duties required cutting brush, clearing firing positions, preparing campsites, and performing other engineering or field tasks. Its design descended from the earlier Model 1910 bolo but was simplified to make large-scale contractor production easier during the enormous expansion of the U.S. Army in World War I.

This example is particularly desirable for the combination of its PLUMB / ST. LOUIS / 1918 maker marking, clearly stamped U.S. MOD. / 1917 C.T. designation, substantial surviving dark blade finish, original wooden grips, and scarce matching-date L.F.&C. 1918 steel scabbard. Both components show honest service wear without heavy restoration, making this a strong and substantially complete example of a U.S. Army WWI bolo and scabbard set.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 10 1/4"
Blade Style: "Bolo" Machete
Overall length: 15“
Crossguard: 3 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 11"