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 handy knife was very popular with the troops and thousands were used as intended in virtually every theater of the war. This is an early war production Type 1 Shark with a bronze guard and a solid aluminum pommel. Later Shark issues had 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 exact 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).
Stacked leather washers handle with colored fiber spacers at the ends, an early-issue aluminum pommel and bronze guard. The handle is tight; all parts are solid with no play. No ding marks on the spine or typical edge nicks on the blade; a few light contact marks on the pommel are noted for accuracy. 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. The blade has been gently re-sharpened; the edge is very sharp still; the tip is intact. Ricasso is stamped WESTERN / BOULDER, COLO. / PAT. NO. 1,967,479. The knife is 10-1/4″ / 26 cm overall; the blade is 5-7/8″ / 15 cm long. The scabbard is in excellent condition for the type – the keeper is intact, no cuts at the throat or puncture holes near the tip. Some minor stitching loss near the tip but that’s an easy fix.
This original 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.
