US M3 CAMILLUS FIGHTING KNIFE
This is an M3 fighting knife. As issued during WWII.
The M3 fighting knife or M3 trench knife was an American military combat knife first issued in March 1943. The M3 was originally
designated for issue to soldiers not otherwise equipped with a bayonet. However, it was particularly designed for use by
elite or 'shock' forces in need of a close-combat knife such as airborne troops and Army Rangers, and these units received
priority for the M3 at the start of production. As more M3 knives became available in 1943 and 1944, the knife was issued to
other soldiers such as Army Air Corps crewmen and soldiers not otherwise equipped with a bayonet, including soldiers issued the
M1 Carbine or submachine gun.
The M3 trench knife was discontinued in August 1944. After the M1 Carbine was modified to accept a knife-type bayonet, the M3's
blade and handle design was incorporated on the new bayonet, officially designated the Bayonet, U.S. M4.
The knife featured here has a handle made of compressed leather rings. The blade is stileto style. Double ebge. The
markings "US M3 CAMILLUS" are stamped along the blade. This is a more desirable attribute. The pommel is flat black
steel.
The scabbard is made of leather. Sinegle snap on the upper section. Silver rivets along the perimeter. Heavy duty
White thread stitching applied along the edge. The words "Camillus USA" are stamped on back.
This page is a recognition and identification guide for military fighting knives.
Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out
clearly defined points that should be noted.
One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my fighting knife worth?".
A price guide is included here to address this question. The value of the knives is
reviewed over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth
of the edge weapons in the collector's market is illustrated.
This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of
MilitaryItems.com,
a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality
military antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.
|
|
The M-3 knife was manufactured by the following companies;
COMPANY NAME |
BLADE MARKING |
CITY |
Aerial |
Aerial Cutlery Mfg. Co. |
|
Boker |
H. Boker & Co. / BOker |
|
Camillus |
Camillus Cutlery Co. / Camillus |
New York |
Case |
W.R. Case & Sons / CASE |
|
Imperial |
Imperial Knife Co. / Imperial |
|
Kinfolks |
Kinfolks Inc. |
|
PAL |
Pal Blade & Tool Co. / PAL |
|
Robeson |
Robeson Cutlery Co. |
|
Utica |
Utica Cutlery Co. / Utica |
|
Viner |
Viner Bros. / Viner |
|
This edge weapon is currently being reproduced.
It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because
the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with
the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this item.
Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of
the collectible.
|
If you have an interest is seeing other fighting knives, you can do so by going to our
Military Fighting Knives Price Guide
identification guide. Where we cover Army, Navy, Army Air Force, USMC and other organizations.
The knife shown here is not for sale. However, similar items to it are available at
MilitaryItems.com . Even if a similar item
is not available right now, make sure to visit often as new items arrive almost in a daily basis.
|
|
|