Cast Hilt Knives:
The records of the manufacturers for most of these knives were lost in the turbuence of war and the mists of time. The blade is a thin, roughly finished blade, similar to a late war or post-war P-3. It is illustrated with its original sheath, a style often referred to as a "hunting" knife sheath.

Close-up of the unusual alloy handle with its integral guard. The handle is cast directly onto the tang of the blade. In construction these knives bear a resemblance to the USMC Stiletto, especially the details of the guard. Perhaps it was American made but no one seems to know for sure. About 80% of the original black paint remains on the handle.

I have a second copy of this style of knife which I actually bought much earlier and at greater cost. This copy has the blade badly shortened by evidently a serious break. Many a fine knife was destroyed or damaged by a soldier thoughtlessly using it as a throwing knife. When I got this one it had already been roughly re-tipped and had a sheath made specifically for it in its new shortened condition. This knife is ilustrated in Homer Brett's magnum opus on military knives. There is an inexpicable saw cut into the handle and in the recesses of the rings blackish-green paint flecks are visible. Was this paint a later addition or the original color, somehow removed?

More Photo yet to come...

The knives shown below are featured in several other sections.

Cast Steel one piece knife

Octagonal alloy hilt

Uncommon combination of P-2 and P-3 styles.

German Post-War knife with one piece gyard and handle.

USMC Stiletto with arms to the guard broken off.