{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-collins-co-legitimus-no-18-machete-v44-knife-with-horn-handle","title":"Original U.S. WWII Collins \u0026 Co. Legitimus No.18 Machete V44 Knife with Horn Handle","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only one available. These types of knives are extremely rare on today's market, especially in conditions such as this. Made by Collins \u0026amp; Co. of Hartford, Conn, this is a LEGITIMUS model No. 18 V-44 type Machete with the correct pressed cattle horn Handle. This Bowie style knife measures 14 inches long overall, with a 9 3\/8 inch clip point blade. Blade is 2 inches wide at the widest point. It is offered in very good condition, complete with leather sheath. The ricasso is nicely marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLLINS \u0026amp; CO\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLEGITIMUS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMADE IN U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo. 18\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is in great shape, with moderate sharpening and wear The edge is still sharp, and there is no oxidation that we can see, just some staining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather sheath is also marked with the \u003cstrong\u003eCOLLINS \u0026amp; CO. \/ LEGITUMUS\u003c\/strong\u003e name around the trademark logo, and is their style 13 sheath. The leather is is in very good condition, with just a bit of the usual age-related deterioration. The belt loop is still attached and sound, and the markings are clear. This example has a securing strap and snap which are in good order. The ornate tooled embossing is still mostly visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis really is a nice example of one of these knives, and would make a perfect addition to any WWII edged weapon collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade length: 9 1\/8”\u003cbr\u003eBlade style: Clip-point \"Bowie\" knife\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 14”\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard:4 1\/4”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard length: 10 1\/4\" with belt loop\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany people think that these were exclusively used by the Marine Corps, and while that is true the connection to the USMC is only a minimal fraction of this blades history. It's principle legacy lies within the Army Air Corp or Army Air Force depending on the era you are referencing. Following the declaration of war in December 1941 emergency procurement were made to include the procurement of 9 inch machetes the Collins #18 being one manufacture. The Collins #18 would have been acquired by the AAF at this time to fill emergency requisitions to supply new contracts of the old type emergency parachute kits and to supplement other kits until the 10 inch folding machete became available.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44825167855685,"sku":"ONSV26PCS260","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26PCS260__01.jpg?v=1774890634","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-collins-co-legitimus-no-18-machete-v44-knife-with-horn-handle","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}