EARLY BLADE MARKED**WW2 U.S Army M3 Kinfolks Incorporated Fighting Knife & M8A1 Scabbard With Integral Frog By BM Co (Beckwith Manufacturing Company) & ‘VP’ Victory Plastics. Sn 20215 Knives

**EARLY BLADE MARKED**WW2 U.S Army M3 Kinfolks Incorporated Fighting Knife & M8A1 Scabbard With Integral Frog By BM Co (Beckwith Manufacturing Company) & ‘VP’ Victory Plastics. Sn 20215 - 20215

The M3 trench knife or M3 fighting knife was an American military combat knife first issued in March 1943. The M3 was originally designated for issue to soldiers not otherwise equipped with a bayonet. However, it was particularly designed for use by forces in need of a close combat knife, such as Airborne Units and Army Rangers, so these units received priority for the M3 at the start of production. As more M3 knives became available in 1943 and 1944, the knife was issued to other soldiers such as Army Air Corps crewmen and soldiers not otherwise equipped with a bayonet, including soldiers issued the M1 carbine or a submachine gun such as the M3 ‘Grease gun’. Early variants had makers names on the blade, later versions were marked on the guard. This is an excellent original WW2 U.S M3 Fighting Knife & M8A1 Scabbard With Integral Frog ( see page 95 of Cole’s book US Military Knives ). Its 6 ¾” blade retains traces of its original blue finish. The blade has crisp marking ‘US M3 Kinfolks Inc’. Only early blades were stamped with manufacturer marks, later examples had markings on the cross guard. It has the correct undamaged compressed leather washer ringed handle. The pommel top has the Frankford Arsenal ignited grenade mark. The knife is complete with its original green plastic M8A1 scabbard with integral green webbing frog which has a single retaining strap and press stud fastener. The upper mount of the scabbard is stamped 'US M8A1' & by the manufacturer 'BM Co' (Beckwith Manufacturing Company). The rear of the scabbard is cast with ‘VP’ mark of Victory Plastics. The tip of the scabbard is correctly holed for thigh cord. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 20215

£475.00