{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-usmc-marine-raider-stiletto-dagger-by-camillus-with-leather-scabbard-braided-leather-thong-scarce-1942-fighting-knife","title":"Original U.S. WWII USMC Marine Raider Stiletto Dagger by Camillus with Leather Scabbard \u0026 Braided Leather Thong - Scarce 1942 Fighting Knife","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: Only One Available. This is an original and exceptionally scarce \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. Marine Raider Stiletto manufactured by Camillus Cutlery Company in 1942\u003c\/strong\u003e, complete with a period leather scabbard and braided leather thong. Only \u003cstrong\u003e14,370 Marine Raider Stilettos\u003c\/strong\u003e were produced, making surviving examples far scarcer than the millions of standard U.S. fighting knives manufactured during WWII. Designed specifically for elite Marine Raider units and heavily influenced by the British Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife, the Raider Stiletto became one of the most distinctive American combat knives of the Pacific War. This example unquestionably saw hard use and has suffered significant deterioration to its fragile cast zinc handle, which has been broken and repaired, but it retains its original USMC scroll, visible Camillus blade markings, checkered grip, 7¼” double edged blade, and a very interesting period leather scabbard with what appears to be a scratched owner name on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Marine Raider Stiletto was developed in 1942 at a moment when the Marine Corps was creating specialized assault units intended for raids, reconnaissance, and aggressive small unit operations against Japanese positions in the Pacific.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Marine Raiders drew heavily from the example of British Commandos. Their training, tactics, and equipment reflected that influence, and nowhere is it more obvious than in the design of this dagger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stiletto was patterned closely after the famous:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eused by British Commandos and other special operations personnel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Fairbairn-Sykes emphasized the thrust rather than general utility use. Its narrow double edged blade, symmetrical grip, and balance were intended for close quarters fighting rather than cutting rope, opening crates, or performing the hundreds of ordinary camp tasks expected of a conventional field knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe U.S. Marine Corps wanted a similar purpose built fighting knife for the Raiders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLieutenant Colonel \u003cstrong\u003eClifford H. Shuey\u003c\/strong\u003e, a Marine officer serving with the Engineer Division at Headquarters Marine Corps, developed the American version. He retained the basic Fairbairn-Sykes concept but altered several construction details to simplify production and conserve strategic materials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result became known to collectors as the:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S. Marine Raider Stiletto\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCamillus Cutlery Company produced the knife during 1942, with a total production of approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e14,370 examples\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat comparatively small production run is one of the primary reasons authentic Raider Stilettos are so difficult to find today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knife was issued selectively rather than as a general Marine Corps fighting knife. Priority went to specialized units including the Marine Raiders, with examples also associated with Marine parachute and scout\/sniper personnel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1st Marine Raider Battalion under \u003cstrong\u003eColonel Merritt A. Edson\u003c\/strong\u003e and the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion under \u003cstrong\u003eLieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson\u003c\/strong\u003e became two of the best known American special operations formations of the early Pacific War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRaider units participated in some of the most famous early American operations against Japan, including the raid on \u003cstrong\u003eMakin Island\u003c\/strong\u003e, the fighting on \u003cstrong\u003eGuadalcanal\u003c\/strong\u003e, and later operations in the Solomon Islands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knife’s specialized design, however, also proved to be its weakness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile well suited to close quarters fighting, the long narrow blade and cast metal grip were not ideal for ordinary field chores. Marines frequently needed one knife to perform everything from opening ration crates to cutting vegetation, and the Raider Stiletto was simply too specialized and too fragile for many of those tasks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy late 1943, it had largely been displaced by the far more versatile Marine Corps fighting and utility knife, the \u003cstrong\u003e1219C2\u003c\/strong\u003e, later universally associated with the name KA-BAR.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe handle of the Raider Stiletto was particularly innovative but ultimately problematic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstead of using the forged or machined grip construction of the British Fairbairn-Sykes, the Marine knife used a \u003cstrong\u003eone piece die cast zinc alloy handle formed directly around the blade tang\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis reduced machining time and conserved higher priority metals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnfortunately, the zinc alloy did not age well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver time, many original handles developed fine cracks, swelling, flaking, or complete structural failure. This deterioration is one of the best known problems associated with surviving Raider Stilettos and explains why so many original examples are encountered today with cracked, repaired, partially missing, or entirely replaced handles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example displays exactly that characteristic deterioration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe zinc handle has suffered \u003cstrong\u003eheavy cracking and breakage and has been repaired\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCare should be taken when handling it because the repaired areas remain fragile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the damage, the original molded checkering remains clearly visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original USMC scroll is also still present on the handle, an important identifying feature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade markings remain visible on the ricasso and read:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCAMILLUS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCUTLERY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCAMILLUS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eN.Y.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe markings have survived despite the knife’s obvious use and age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade measures approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e7¼”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewith an overall length of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e12⅜”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade retains the distinctive narrow, double edged stiletto form with diamond shaped cross section characteristic of the pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike a utility knife, the blade was intended primarily for thrusting. It was sharpened along both edges and tapered to an extremely narrow point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe complete knife weighs relatively little and was designed to remain hilt heavy in the hand, reducing the tendency for it to slip during close quarters use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original design intentionally borrowed heavily from the balance and ergonomics of the Fairbairn-Sykes, though the Raider blade was slightly longer and considerably thinner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knife is accompanied by a \u003cstrong\u003eperiod leather scabbard\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard remains in good overall condition with expected wear and areas of verdigris around its metal fittings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original securing strap is retained.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe belt hook also remains present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the front is an especially interesting detail: the original leather thong has been \u003cstrong\u003ebraided into a chain-like pattern\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving the scabbard considerable individual character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe back of the scabbard also appears to have a name scratched into the leather:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRahlins(?)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inscription is difficult to read, and the exact spelling has not been confirmed. If correctly deciphered, it could potentially provide an avenue for further research, but at present we cannot connect it to a specific Marine or unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard itself deserves some clarification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarine Raider Stiletto scabbards are sometimes confused with the Army \u003cstrong\u003eM6 leather scabbard\u003c\/strong\u003e used with the M3 fighting knife because both are leather combat knife scabbards of broadly similar appearance. However, documented Raider Stiletto scabbards had their own construction variations, including examples with and without reinforcing staples at the throat and with and without metal tip plates. Collector references also distinguish original Raider scabbards from standard M6 examples. (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.usmilitariaforum.com\/forums\/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F217994-m6-sheath%2F=\u0026amp;comment=1720018\u0026amp;do=findComment\u0026amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com\" title=\"M6 Sheath ? - EDGED WEAPONS - U.S. Militaria Forum\"\u003eUS Militaria Forum\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor that reason, without detailed photographs showing the scabbard construction, throat, rivets or staples, tip reinforcement, and dimensions, we would prefer to describe this simply as a \u003cstrong\u003eperiod leather scabbard\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than definitively calling it an M6.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe condition of the knife is heavily service worn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cast zinc handle is the principal issue and shows extensive cracking, structural damage, and old repair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome portions of the surface have deteriorated considerably, although the checkering remains visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade shows use but retains its Camillus markings and overall stiletto profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather scabbard is in considerably better condition than the handle, though it shows expected wear and verdigris.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe securing strap and belt hook remain present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe braided leather thong and possible scratched owner name add considerable personality to the group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Marine Raider Stiletto occupies a special place in U.S. edged weapon collecting because it represents a very specific moment in the development of American special operations forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was conceived for elite troops, produced in very limited numbers, used during the early and extremely difficult Pacific campaigns, and replaced after only a relatively brief service life because its specialized fighting design was poorly suited to the broader demands placed on a Marine’s field knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts construction also created its own built in scarcity. The fragile zinc handles have continued deteriorating for more than 80 years, meaning even damaged original examples are increasingly difficult to obtain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its original \u003cstrong\u003eCamillus markings, surviving USMC scroll, checkered zinc grip, 7¼” double edged blade, period leather scabbard, braided leather thong, and possible named inscription\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is a highly evocative surviving example of one of the rarest purpose built U.S. fighting knives of WWII. The extensively cracked and repaired handle, general service wear, verdigris, and uncertain reading of the scabbard name are fully disclosed. For the advanced collector, its rarity and direct association with the Marine Raiders make it an important addition to a \u003cstrong\u003eUSMC Raider, Paramarine, Pacific War, Camillus, special operations, or WWII American edged weapons collection\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade Length: 7¼”\u003cbr\u003eHandle Length: 5”\u003cbr\u003eTotal Length: 12⅜”\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 2\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44846861320261,"sku":"ONSV26PCS233","price":2995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26PCS233.jpg?v=1775250874","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-usmc-marine-raider-stiletto-dagger-by-camillus-with-leather-scabbard-braided-leather-thong-scarce-1942-fighting-knife","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}