{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-western-g-46-5-baby-shark-fighting-knife-with-leather-scabbard-1","title":"Original U.S. WWII Western G-46-5 \"Baby Shark\" Fighting Knife with Leather Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a genuine WWII Western G-46-5 fighting knife, offered in very nice condition, complete with its original leather scabbard. It is sometimes called the \"Baby Shark\", and there were also 4 and 8 inch blade versions of the G46. This knife was developed during WW2 by Western Cutlery of Boulder Colorado. Western-made knives were all beautifully made with a bluing comparable to that seen on hunting rifles, though it appears that this knife had all blueing removed. Although they never had any major government contracts they sold thousands of knives through private and unit purchases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example has a 5 inch long single-edged clip-point blade, which has a broad fuller below the spine. The blade is 1” wide, and is of very sturdy construction. The oval ended bakelite cross guard is in good condition but is a little loose due to shrinkage. The stacked leather grip with black, white and red spacers are still present and in wonderful condition. While the handle is aged, there is no significant damage present. The pommel cap is solid and a bakelite example. The blade ricasso is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWESTERN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBOULDER, COLO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAT NO 1.967.479\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis knife has definitely been used, but not intentionally abused, and the blade does appear to have been sharpened much with a few small nicks in the blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original leather scabbard has a lovely aged color, showing no oxidation and staining around the rivets. It still has the original securing strap, though it shows some wear around the snap, but still solid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall a great lightly used example of a high quality WWII Fighting knife, complete with its original and correct scabbard. Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade length: 5”\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Clip Point \"Bowie\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 9 ¼”\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 1 ⅞”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard length: 5 ⅝” with 3 ¾” belt loop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore on Western Cutlery\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWestern Cutlery was originally founded as Platts \u0026amp; Sons Cutlery in Gowanda, NY, in 1896. Charles Platts, who was an immigrant from Sheffield, England, founded the company. He had been employed in the knife making trade in Sheffield and knew the manufacturing process well. Charles Platts died in 1900, but his sons continued to run the company until 1905, when his son H.N. Platts bought out all of the family owners and moved the company to Bradford, PA. In 1911, Platts moved the company to Boulder, CO, with the intention of taking advantage of the continuing western expansion in the United States. At this time he re-established the company with the new name: Western Cutlery \u0026amp; Manufacturing Company. With the coming of World War II, Western Cutlery’s business expanded dramatically due to wartime production needs. Western Cutlery received a number of US government knife contracts during World War II and produced thousands of combat knives during the war years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41516409061445,"sku":"ONSV24KHE115","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24KHE115__01.jpg?v=1714407746","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-western-g-46-5-baby-shark-fighting-knife-with-leather-scabbard-1","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}