Original U.S. WWII Airborne Schrade Presto M2 No.2 Hook-Bill Paratrooper Knife with Painted Metal Handle & Post-War Lanyard
-
Original Item. Only One Available. Worn in the breast pocket of the Paratrooper M2 Jump Jacket, these knives were intended for paratroopers to cut their parachute cords and anything else if they got entangled during a jump. All of the versions are quite rare and hard to find, partly because they continued to be used after the war, and simply wore out. This example has a patent date of January 30th, 1940, and has a post-war added lanyard. The greatest detail of this example is the Hook-Bill style blade, which is a very seldom seen variation of this knife.
This wonderful example offered in very good functional condition is marked on the base of the blade (ricasso) as follows:
GEO. SCHRADE
BRIDGEPORT
CONN.
And
PRESTO
PAT. JAN. 30-40
MADE IN THE U.S.A.
The earliest model of these had a "jigged bone" handle, but as the war progressed, a simpler textured metal grip design was introduced, which was painted black. Unlike other versions, this one came in two sizes, the larger No.3, and the smaller No.2, which is what we have here, although this type has a rarer hook-bill style blade. It has an overall length of 7½” with the knife open and hook fully extended.
The blade on this example is near-mint, and the release button and lock both function perfectly. The Hook-Bill blades are very difficult to come by, and this is a textbook example with a minty post-war lanyard. Ready for further research and display!
Worn in the breast pocket of the Paratrooper M2 Jump Jacket these knives were intended for paratroopers to cut their parachute cords and anything else if they got entangled during a jump. Exceedingly rare and hard to find. For further research checkout this forum post about these knives and how to tell WWII knives from post war: WWII Airborne Switchblades (this example is 100% WWII).
NOTE: This knife is definitely considered a "Switchblade", so check local laws before ordering.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington
This product is not available for international shipping.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
- Stored and shipped from our PA location; not available in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Please check all local laws before ordering.
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
