Description
Marbles USA Pilot Survival Knife vintage 1954 ferro-blued 6″ blade, black micarta/bronze pommel handle; nylon sheath. Rare type – 1 of only 50 knives assembled in 1999; unused in original retail box. FREE EXPEDITED SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM.
This is one of the hardest to find Marble’s models – an original blade “Pilot Survival Knife” that was designed by Marbles for the US military to replace the WW2 era “pilot knife” type. Some of these early Marble’s Pilot Survival knives were actually issued to the US Navy pilots during the trials. This specimen was assembled in 1999 in Gladstone, Michigan USA using the original-stock “Pilot Survival Knife” blades made in 1954; the entire limited edition run just 50 serial-numbered knives. This specimen is SN 07 of 50 – engraved on ricasso.
In the 195oth Marble’s came up with the original design for the now-famous “Jet Pilot Knife” and provided the specs, along with the trial batch of knives, to the US military. The navy pilots loved the knife and it received rave reviews from the field. Marble’s was fully expecting to be awarded the actual contract for 30,000 knives and started the production in anticipation of the much-expected win. The government had other plans however, and simply gave away the specifications for the new knife to competitors for bidding. Camillus was the lowest bidder and got the contract to build thousands of Jet Pilot knives, just as the Vietnam War was unraveling. I have one such early Vietnam War era example available for sale. For their hard work, ingenuity, and blind trust Marble’s got nothing. Cheated out of money/new contract, and lied to by government officials, Marble’s began selling the already-manufactured “Jet Pilot Knives” as a new model civilian “survival knife”. These were excellent knives and identical to the original military version in every respect, except for a bronze guard and colored spacers on the ends of the handle. The “original mil-spec stock” knives all had ferro-blued blades – a special rust-resistant Fe3O4 (magnetite) coating similar to “parkerized” finish. The pre-manufactured ferro-blued blades ran out of stock in 1961; post-1961 survival knives all had polished bright-finish blades.
This knife is about 10-5/8″ / 27 cm overall; the blade is about 5-7/8″ / 15 cm long; 3-line Marble’s / Gladstone / MICH. U.S.A. logo stamped on one side ricasso; serial 07 of 50 on the other. The blade is razor-sharp; it has not been re-sharpened; the tip is intact; 99% of the original ferro-bluing is remaining. The saw teeth on the back are in excellent shape. Black micarta handle with colored fiber-n-brass spacers at the ends indicating 1999 year of assembly. A solid bronze pommel and cross guard; all handle parts are tight with no play. Tactical multi-point attachment system black nylon sheath with a plastic blade protector is in excellent condition as well; all original rivets and stitching are intact, original keeper is nice and tight. Don’t miss your chance to add this rare 1954 blade Marbles USA Pilot Survival Knife to your collection!
I have a small but very interesting collection of various edged WW1 and WW2 era weapons available for sale. Don’t forget to check out our Militaria section for other WW1 and WW2 era combat knives, including German WW1 era trench knives, vintage USAF WW2 Pilot Knives and a couple of rare WW2 “OSS Drop” knives we offer for sale.
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FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM!
International shipping for this item will be $55 and up to most countries on our “ship-to” list.
