Item:
ONSV22KBD94

Original U.S. WWII Army Air Forces 23” Machete by True Temper (American Fork & Hoe) in AAF Marked Scabbard - Dated 1945

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. Most of the early tools associated with the name TRUE TEMPER can be described as hand tools with wood handles. They were non-motorized and rarely included simple mechanisms. Over 60% of the TRUE TEMPER product line was associated with agriculture, gardening and other forms of outdoor work. Examples of such tools are spades, shovels, forks, hoes, rakes, striking tools (axes, picks, mauls), forged bars and machetes like this example here.

This full sized machete features a 19” blade with a lovely olive green and red painted plastic handle. The machete does show signs of being used and sharpened multiple times, which is not uncommon to see because these machetes, although old, are still being used to this day.

The blade has chips on the edge and there is staining and light pitting and surface rust present. This was a tool that had a long life in service. The included scabbard is a lovely thick plastic example with the AAF insignia embossed towards the throat. The pistol belt attachment hooks are still present and are in functioning condition.

This is truly a lovely example of a rather important tool used during WWII. Comes ready to display!

Prior to World War II a 22 inch machete was in use by the Army, but trials in Panama showed that a shorter design was better. The machete adopted as the M-1942 was an 18-inch straight back modification of the Collins commercial type, proved by extensive use in the tropics.

This was the basic tool of jungle operations, permitting travel through the tangled vegetation away from the trails. The machete depended on velocity rather than weight for its cutting action, being allowed to pivot in the hand with the stroke, while held only with the thumb, index and middle fingers. A hole was drilled in the handle for a wrist cord, which kept the machete from being dropped or lost. The machete was also considered a decidedly useful weapon, especially for the silent disposition of sentries and in night ambushes.

The sheath was made of heavy, water-repellent duck, which resisted the mildew and dampness that destroyed leather in the jungle. A brass top and staples prevented the sheath from being cut by the blade. A hook (M-1910 type) was provided to attach the machete to a pack or to the pistol or cartridge belt. The machete dimensions were about 22 1/2" overall with a 17 7/8" blade that was 2" wide.

Most World War II machetes had black plastic grips, but True Temper machetes stamped 1945 were made with olive green plastic handles.

Other machetes were made for the U.S. military in the World War II period. A U.S. Navy Mk1 model had a 26 inch blade and some of the older, 28 inch or longer machetes remained in service. There was a paratrooper machete with a 16 inch parkerized blade, 22 inches overall. A folding machete was also issued to some units.

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