{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-theater-made-fighting-knife-with-bakelite-grip-sheath-with-g-i-s-stenciled-laundry-number","title":"Original U.S. WWII Theater-Made Fighting Knife with Bakelite Grip \u0026 Sheath with G.I.’s Stenciled Laundry Number","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. Theater knives are knives made by military personnel in the various theaters of war. Each knife is unique in its own way due to the maker's style, preferences and materials available. Most theater knives were made from spare parts, wreckage, tools and already existing blades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese knives were made by the armorers and engineers on request. The larger ships needed to have skilled fabricators on board to make repairs and modifications to weapons and gear. Usually the blades were made from existing weapons or from steel components, and the hilts were cast from metals such as aluminum or zinc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fascinating theater-made knife made from several different materials. The double-sided blade is extremely sharp and appears welded at the base, but might actually be a single piece of metal with welding to reinforce the blade. If this is the case, the only added pieces are the bakelite grip and the rivets that attach it. The entire knife is hand-tooled with a good set of knuckles. The blade measures roughly 9” long and the overall length is 14”. The blade has heavy sharpening marks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe custom leather sheath is a great example with good retained stitching and rivets. The securing strap and snap are intact with heavy wear and rubbing of the material. The front of the sheath is stenciled with \u003cstrong\u003eY 7 6 9 7\u003c\/strong\u003e, the soldier’s laundry number. This same number is scratched onto the back of the sheath, and additionally, it appears the soldier’s name has been scratched on, \u003cstrong\u003eE.T. Yaeger\u003c\/strong\u003e(?). Requires some additional research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great soldier-made example. Ready for display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade length: 9”\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 14”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard length: 9 1\/4\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45086449401925,"sku":"ONJR26MYMF111","price":795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/251A899A-7171-4BA8-A104-A6B27A040BDC.jpg?v=1780348634","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-theater-made-fighting-knife-with-bakelite-grip-sheath-with-g-i-s-stenciled-laundry-number","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}