Description
Original WW2 era American fighting knife manufactured during the war by Western Cutlery in Boulder, Colorado – this type is commonly known as the “Shark” model fighting knife. This Shark fighter is used, but it is in better-than-average condition for the type. This handy knife was very popular with the troops and thousands were used as intended in virtually every theater of the war. This is a mid-war production Type 1 Shark with a blued blade, an iron guard and a solid aluminum pommel. Later Shark issues had plain blades, iron guards and Bakelite pommels since strategic materials such as aluminum and bronze mid-war have been reserved for uses “essential for the war effort”. This type is illustrated on page 233 of the KNIVES OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY WORLD WAR II book by Michael W Silvey – a well-established expert and author of many books on the subject of US military edged weapons (see page’s scan attached).
Most of these Shark fighting knives were used in the field as intended; it’s not a particularly scarce type but this type is hard-to-find in such a good shape and with most of the original blade bluing intact. The blade has been lightly re-sharpened; the edge is razor-sharp; the tip is intact. Ricasso is stamped WESTERN / BOULDER, COLO. / PAT. NO. 1,967,479. The knife is 10-1/4″ / 26 cm overall; blued blade is 5-7/8″ / 15 cm long. No ding marks on the spine or typical edge nicks on the blade; solid aluminum pommel is in excellent shape as well. Stacked leather washers handle with colored fiber spacers at the ends; the handle is tight; all parts are solid with no play. Original leather scabbard is in very good condition for the type – original stitching, rivets and the keeper are intact, no puncture holes near the tip; the leather is soft and supple still.
This scarce blued blade type WW2 Western Shark fighting knife has not been cleaned or tampered with in any way; it’s in 100% original “as purchased” condition. These are the actual photos; Garand clips are not included with the knife 😉 I have a few more WW2 era combat knives and bayonets, scarce WW1 and WW2 fighting daggers and trench knives from other countries available for sale – please take a look in our Militaria section.
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International shipping for this item will be $53 and up to most countries on our “ship-to” list.
