Description
WW2 Imperial M3 fighting knife, early blade-marked type; original GI-initialed Viner Bros (Viner Bros Shoe Company) 1943-dated M6 leather scabbard. VERY rare M3/M6 set in great overall condition, considering the age.
Original WW-II era blade-marked M3 Trench Knife manufactured by Imperial Knife Co. in Provenance, RI – one of the larger war-time makers of edged weapons for the US government. The M3 production had ended in August 1944, but only the early M3 specimens were blade-marked. Out of the total of 2.5 million M3s made, Imperial produced about 850,000 M3s of all types. See the WW2 era M3 Trench Knife in the European theater photo (for reference only; not included with the lot). This fighting knife is used, but it’s in better-than-average condition for the type. The fighter comes with very rare GI-initialed M6 scabbard made by Viner Bros (Viner Bros Shoe Co.) which only produced only 66,457 M6 scabbards in 1943. This is VERY hard to find M3/M6 set, especially with all original parts intact.
This fighter is in very good overall condition, considering the age – leather washers with 8 grooves handle is nice and tight; the iron cross guard and hammer-like pommel are intact. The pommel is solid; the guard has a tiny bit of a play. This M3 fighter is about 11-1/2″ / 29.3 cm overall; blued blade is 6-3/4″ / 17 cm long. The blade has been sharpened, it is very sharp still, including the upper edge; the tip is a bit rounded. The blade is marked US M3 IMPERIAL on one side. The heavy-duty steel pommel is stamped with the “flaming bomb” US ordinance mark.
This rare M3 comes with a rare US M6 leather scabbard made in early 1943 by Viner Bros (Viner Bros Shoe Co.). The front panel is GI-initialed JCL in large letters. The scabbard is used as well, but it’s in very good shape overall, considering the age. All original stitching, rivets, and keeper are intact; steel plates are tight and secure; the leather is a bit dry and stiff. The “anti-puncture” steel plates are intact – these were designed to prevent accidental leg cuts to a wearer during parachute jumps, crouching, etc. The M6 sheath was costly to produce and did not fare well under the stress of combat. Metal parts were prone to corrosion and leather would rot in contact with seawater. The M6 was produced for just 8 months in 1943; it was quickly replaced by a cheaper and more durable M8 composition scabbard. Finding an original 1943-dated M3/M6 set that survived the war is getting harder and harder every year – don’t miss your chance!
This very desirable original early-issue WW2 Imperial M3 fighting knife/M6 set is guaranteed original or your money back. This attractive WW2 Imperial M3 fighting knife/Viner Bros M6 scabbard set has not been cleaned or tampered with in any way, it is in 100% original “as is” condition. These are the actual photos; Garand clips are not included with the lot 😉
I have a number of vintage American-made collectible knives in the store, please take a look at the store’s American Blades section. Also, please 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 nice WW2 era 1st pattern Wilkinson Sword, 2nd pattern and 3rd pattern FS daggers available for sale.
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International shipping for this item will be $55 and up to most countries on our “ship-to” list.
