Description
WW2 Western Pilot Knife Baby Shark type fighting knife – scarce Bakelite guard/pommel type in rare unused condition; original leather scabbard included. Excellent overall condition, considering the age. FREE EXPEDITED SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S.
A scarce WW2 era American utility/fighting knife manufactured during the war by Western Cutlery in Boulder, Colorado. This is a harder to find WW2 era US issue “Baby Shark” model utility-fighting knife issued to the USAF crews during the war as an all-purpose fighting/survival knife in case of a bail-out. This exact type is illustrated on page 234 of the KNIVES OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY WORLD WAR II book by Michael W Silvey – a well-established expert an author of many books on the subject of US military edged weapons (see the page’s scan attached with the photos).
A nice example of the Bakelite pommel and guard type – during the war Western Cutlery phased out the use of aluminum and bronze as the material for knife handles in favor of Bakelite in order to conserve strategic metals for the war effort. Stacked leather washers handle with colored fiber spacers on the ends; brown Bakelite guard and pommel. The handle is solid; all parts are tight with no play. Bakelite parts are intact with no cracks, chips or typical contact marks – rare as such as this plastic was prone to damage in the field. The knife is about 9-1/4″ / 23.5 cm overall; fullered “bright finish” blade is about 4-7/8″ /12.5 cm long; the blade is razor-sharp still; the tip is intact. Original leather scabbard is in great shape overall, considering the age; original keeper, and rivets are intact. The leather is a bit dry; some minor stitching loss near the tip is noted for accuracy. With proper care this knife will last you another 80 years 😉
This attractive WW2 Western Baby Shark Pilot Knife has not been cleaned or tampered with in any way, it is in 100% original “as is” condition. These are the actual photos. 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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FREE USPS PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING WITHIN THE U.S. FOR THIS ITEM
International shipping for this item will be $39 and up to most countries on our “ship-to” list.
