{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-kennedy-brothers-style-double-edge-theater-made-fighting-knife-with-tooled-leather-scabbard","title":"Original U.S. WWII Kennedy Brothers Style Double Edge Theater-Made Fighting Knife with Tooled Leather Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One-of-a-Kind. This is an impressive original WWII-era theater-made fighting knife constructed in a style closely resembling the scarce fighting knives associated with Kennedy Brothers Arms Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. The knife itself is unmarked and is not being represented as a factory-made Kennedy Bros. example, but its long double-edged dagger blade, substantial steel-framed hilt, wooden grip scales, and broad crossguard closely parallel the general form seen on surviving Kennedy-marked fighting knives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knife measures approximately 12¼ inches overall and is fitted with an 8-inch double-edged dagger blade. The blade has a strong symmetrical profile designed principally for thrusting, with sharpened edges running along both sides toward the point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knife is particularly reminiscent of fighting knives associated with Kennedy Brothers Arms Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. Kennedy Brothers was a long-established sporting-goods and firearms business founded in the nineteenth century. An 1881 history of St. Paul described Kennedy Brothers as manufacturers and wholesale dealers in guns, ammunition, fishing tackle, and sporting equipment, operating a three-story building with workshops above the salesroom. While the knife is not marked or being sold here as a “Kennedy”, the style is unmistakably similar to Kennedy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe company remained active into the World War II period. The Minnesota Historical Society recorded the Kennedy Brothers Arms Company of St. Paul as an institutional member in 1943, confirming that the business was still operating during the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tooled leather scabbard is an excellent example with meticulous work done in designing the front piece. The body is thick and the leather is still pliable. There is a great leather securing strap with an intact snap and belt loop. The scabbard is held together by six brass rivets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is particularly compelling for its 8-inch double-edged dagger blade, steel-framed hilt, two-piece wooden grip secured by three brass rivets, heavy brass-and-steel guard, and finely tooled leather scabbard reinforced with six brass rivets. While its resemblance to scarce Kennedy Bros.-associated fighting knives is unmistakable, the absence of a maker mark means the most defensible identification remains a Kennedy Brothers style theater-made fighting knife rather than a factory-attributed Kennedy knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecifications:\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 8\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Single Edge Bayonet\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 12 1\/4“\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 3”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 14” including belt loop\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45686889414725,"sku":"ONJR26AURA52","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/CD9C779C-A55D-4D36-A1D4-CCFADA1A5C4B.jpg?v=1788545474","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-kennedy-brothers-style-double-edge-theater-made-fighting-knife-with-tooled-leather-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}