Thread: Old Machete
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Old 03-22-2011, 12:32 PM   #2
polishshooter
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Default Re: Old Machete

Yes that is probably a Mark II Navy Machete. They were made by many companies, and were not all absolutely identical in finish, markings, etc., but Collins was a major manufacturer of them.

It is correct with a black "plastic" handle, but that sheath is probably a retro replacement. Some of the very EARLIEST ones were issued with leather sheaths, but most of them didn't last long in service especially in the tropics of the Pacific so were changed out to canvas ones that are considered "correct" for them.

There was also two other types issued which was very similar, but the earlier USN Mark I had a 26" blade, and the other later type is called the "U.S 18" Machete" for obvious reasons. The Mark II's blade should be 22" long. How long is your blade?

Actually, there a quite a number of these around, so the value has not escalated to what say a WWII US fighting knife or bayonet would see, BUT there is increasing interest in them with WWII collectors and it will probably be worth somewhere in the ballpark of $35-45, depending how bad you nicked up the blade fighting off all those despicable Japs in your happy childhood.

Been there, DONE that.

My Dad was pretty PO'd when my brother broke the blade on his Mark II Navy knife that he used as his hunting knife trying to throw it in the garage to see if he could stick it in the wall.

And my uncle used to let my cousin and I "play" army with an old Remington Rolling Block in .43 Egyptian when I was a kid too, because "you couldn't get ammo for it."

I CRINGE remembering what we did with his when I see what .43 Egyptian Rolling Blocks bring at shows NOW
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