Item: US Army WWII D-Day Paratrooper Airborne Pal Blade Marked M-3 Trench Knife
Year: The blade marking (without date) denotes manufacture in ca. late 1943, World War II Era
Country/Branch: United States, Army
Maker: Knife by Pal Cutlery Co. of Plattsburgh, New York, Sheath by Beckwith Manufacturing Co.
Model: Knife is an M-3, Sheath is an M-8
Markings: On the lower right side of the blade, "U.S. M3 PAL". On the bottom of the pommel, the "flaming bomb" acceptance stamp of the Ordnance Department. On the front throat of the sheath, "U.S. M8 / B.M. CO.".
Blade Length: 6 1/2"
Overall Length: 11 1/2''
Scabbard: Yes, the original US WW2 1st Pattern OD Plastic M-8 Scabbard with a fully functional brass "glove" snap closure OD canvas handle retention strap, and a fully intact OD canvas belt loop devoid of a wire hanger (distinguishing it as a scarce 1st pattern).
Original/Replica: Original
Condition: This knife is in Very Good Condition. The blade has a fairly crisp, original parkerized finish. Some scabbard wear, scuffing, and scratching. The tip is present, blade is straight. Normal patina for age. The guard has light loosening. The handle is tight and firmly set. The sheath is in Very Good Condition, with some light scratching to the front body, and some light brownish soiling at the front belt hanger. The sheath even retains the original neatly coiled brown rawhide leather tie down thong laced through the end tip. Please see our photos for more information.
Historical Background: The US Army introduced the M-3 trench knife in 1943 for troopers carrying arms not configured to accept a bayonet. The wide use of Thompsons and Carbines by paratroopers meant the M-3 was issued in large numbers to those elite airborne troops. Often worn strapped to the calf in an M-8 scabbard, the M-3 trench knife quickly became part of the paratrooper mystique, and a symbol of those "devils in baggy pants". Pal is among the scarcer M-3 makers to encounter today, having made only 121,131 trench knives during the war, equivalent to 4.68% of total production.
-Edge
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