help me id this old knife

[screwdriver]

i have had this knife for over30 years ,origionally swapping it with a kid at school.
he said at the time it belonged to his uncle who was in the airforce during ww2 but i have searched the web and cant find one like it.
its made by martindale and dated 1943 can anyone provide any info.

 

[Limaed]

Im no expert but it looks like an early UK issue survival knife the crowsfoot and date suggest it is genuine. Its quite simular to the Wilkinson Sword 'D' and later MOD Survival Knife. Martindale still make machetes for the forces although of dubious quality IMO.

Looks like a good user how does it perform in the field?

 

[screwdriver]

considering the age very well ,holds its edge very well and the old rubber handle is rock solid though very uncomfortable .
ive looked at uk ww2 aircrew survival knives on the net and some look like this but not exactly the same ,though this is all 100% origional.

 

[Limaed]

With the rubber handle maybe it was a special jungle issue? Seems like a good project for a new handle and a profile and polish! Nice.

 

[rancid badger]

Is it not a rather well worn, "parachette" ?

love the real saddlers rivets on the sheath, by the way,( something I've recently started using myself) just proves they really were made to last.

cheers

Steve

 

[launditch1]

Its in R.Flooks book on british and commonwealth knives p.109-10.Its a Paratroopers machete.The straps on the sheath are for strapping to your leg.
VERY nice...if you feel like selling?.....

 

[screwdriver]

cheers launditch 1 any chance you can scan it on to here as ive tried without luck to find any photos of it yet

 

[stekker]

With the rubber handle maybe it was a special jungle issue? Seems like a good project for a new handle and a profile and polish! Nice.

Don't do that,you will destroy the wearings,the patina and the history of this machette!

Theo

 

[launditch1]

Don't do that,you will destroy the wearings,the patina and the history of this machette!

Theo

Absolutley!!Leave it as it is.Dont quote me on this but i would imagine these are worth a bob or two...anything ww2 british para is.
Screwdriver.I can pm you a scan as i think there would be copyright issues posting it here?If im wrong ill sort it sometime.
Lovely knife, i am green with envy!!

 

[launditch1]

Might be worth posting a pic on British blades in the historical section..and also on www.warrelics.eu in the allied section.Lots of folk in the know on them two sites.

 

[screwdriver]

ive owned this since i was 12 (over 30 years) and the only thing apart from a light sharpening i have done to this was electrical tape on the grips (30 years ago) to make them more comfortable ,which i removed for the photo and has probably made them last this long.

 

[bushwacker bob]

looks like a martindale pattern 14 blade and someone had customised the topline of the handle.

 

[deburge]

Hello Screwdriver, Don,t know what it is called, but I have its identical twin, complete with identical sheath both marked with the broad arrow and stamped 1943. The sheath has the letters B H G stamped under the broad arrow at the bottom.
Regards

 

[launditch1]

BHG=Barrow Hepburn&Gale.Well known maker of all sorts of militaria.

(im so glad this thread has reappeared again...green envy all over again! )

 

[deburge]

Thanks for the info on B H S. Thats one more step towards finding out the history of my old knife.
I am also trying to get a copy of the book by R Flooks in order to further my knowledge. Seems like this particular knife is now quite rare.

 

[deburge]

Slip of the finger. Meant B H G.