The M3 fighting knife or M3 trench knife was an American military combat knife first issued in March 1943. Blending Metals to Arm Our Fighting Men, Popular Science, Vol. The M3 was a true combat knife, as it was designed solely for military use and was primarily intended as a fighting knife, though some compromises were made in the design to conserve strategic materials. The carbine bayonet, now designated the Bayonet, U.S. M4, was added to the Company Table of Organization in June 1944, and the M3 was declared to be a limited standard ordnance item, with supplies to be issued until exhausted. An example of a World War I trench knife is the German Army's Nahkampfmesser. US M3 Fighting Knife A Third Version M3 With Name Removed From Guard. It was developed as a close combat weapon for soldiers attacking enemy trenches during the First World War. The M3 Fighting Knife or M3 Trench Knife was an American military combat knife first issued in 1943. Has hanger for attaching to standard US web belt and slots for use on belts up to 2" wide. The French Nail were locally fabricated and converted bayonets, knives and stabbing weapons for use in the First World War. (This company made knives for the military during WWII but not M3's.) At termination of production in August 1944, the M3 trench knife had one of the shortest production and service records of any U.S. combat knife. 1 Review. See Details. While designated for issue to soldiers not armed with the bayonet, it was especially designed for such shock units as parachute troops and rangers. Please try again. By placing an order, the buyer represents that he/she is in compliance with the law and will utilize the items in a lawful manner. In May 2014 the Ek brand was purchased by Ka-Bar which began selling its versions of Ek knife designs in 2015. [4], After U.S. Army ordnance began developing a proprietary bayonet for use on the M1 carbine, it was realized that the new carbine bayonet, which already incorporated the M3 blade design and leather-wrap grip, could also replace the M3 in service in a secondary role as a fighting knife. U.S. WWII M3 Fighting Knife & M6 Leather Scabbard. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading. WWII US M3 Case fighting Knife - A fighting knife, also commonly called a combat knife, is a knife designed for military use, specifically for close combat. [12] [2] The steel crossguard had an angular bend at one end to facilitate a thumb rest. WWII US M3 Trench Fighting Knife Imperial Guard Mrk in M8 Scbd Dagger . Hunters, hikers, and outdoor sport enthusiasts use survival knives. Blade, Oak, SZCO Supplies Commando Knife, Small, Black. As the U.S. Same price and same shipping cost. the sheath was well made, but the knife is sloppy and looks like a drunk ape beat it out of scrap metal with a rock. $29.00 9 bids + $8.00 shipping . It was issued to soldiers who carried weapons that did not have bayonets. There is some wear around the edges, and a bit of rust speckling, but does not have any major issues or damage. There's a problem loading this menu right now. A number of M1905 bayonets were recalled from service, their blades cut down, and they were reissued as M1 bayonets. the boker china knock offs are at least symmetrical and they attempt to look like the real deal. Despite ordnance descriptions of the knife as being designed for hand-to-hand warfare, the M3 did not receive universal praise as a close-quarters fighting knife upon issue to combat units. Click to open image! The M3 fighting knife or M3 trench knife was an American military combat knife first issued in March 1943. The M9 Bayonet, officially known as the M9 Phrobis III, is a multi-purpose knife and bayonet officially adopted in 1986 by the United States. The M3 was originally designated for issue to soldiers not otherwise equipped with a bayonet. [1] [2] [3] However, it was particularly designed for use by forces in need of a close combat knife, such as Airbornes and Army Rangers, so these units received priority for the M3 at the start of production. For questions or accessibility help - please call (908) 903-1200. SCABBARD I bought mine directly from IMA. NOT ever again IMA, Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2016. From the 17th century to World War I, it was considered the primary weapon for infantry attacks. Includes leather leg tie-down thong. As the U.S. Expand your collection of military surplus bayonets by browsing our selection of military surplus bayonets and fighting knives. USN NAVY USCG MSC MERCHANT MARINE BOSUN SAILOR MARLIN SPIKE ROPE RIGGING KNIFE C $48.99. It was introduced in 1964, when the M16 rifle entered service during the Vietnam War. My only issues with the knife are that the one i received, is a full tang but the handle does not fit tightly in between the gaurd and metal plate at the end of the handle, because of this issue it makes it difficult to pull the knife from the leather sheath and the handle feels like if you used it it would snap because it is not firmly held in place. 142 No. 6 (June 1943), p. 104. This limited the usefulness of the M3 when employed for backhand slashing strokes. [2] [14] [5]. This Appears To Be Common Practice With Some Surplus Knives That Were Sold Off Post WW2. [4] Some soldiers also found the M3's cutting edge to be difficult to maintain in the field. This one is also rampant with reproductions. Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2012. This knife is early production, indicated by the maker information being stamped directly on the blade: U.S. M3 KINFOLKS INC. This shopping feature will continue to load items when the Enter key is pressed. $10.95 2 bids + $11.85 shipping . The M3 was manufactured by a number of U.S. knife and cutlery manufacturers during the war. There was a problem completing your request. Ek Commando Knife Co. or Ek Knives is an American combat knife brand produced by several different companies since the original founded by John Ek in 1941. There is a bit of gearing where the frog meets the scabbard, and it shows a lot of wear. A very nice example of an early issue blade marked M3 knife from a very scarce maker, in an early leather scabbard. The early models were issued with a leather scabbard which had a bottom metal plate for re-enforcement. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. [4] [2] [5] This limited the usefulness of the M3 when employed for backhand slashing strokes. It has a 6.75 in (17.1 cm) double-edged dagger blade useful for both thrusting and slashing strokes, unlike previous U.S. trench knives such as the M1917 and M1918. Ebay.com. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The company still exists today, producing fine cutlery. However, it was particularly designed for use by elite or 'shock' forces in need of a close-combat knife such as airborne troops and Army Rangers, and these units received priority for the M3 at the start of production. [4] Reports of blade failures on M3s in service increased as soldiers began to use their trench knives for ordinary utility tasks such as opening ammo crates and food ration tins, a role for which the M3 had not been designed. While the knife itself was generally well-made and balanced (some paratroopers and rangers mastered the art of using the M3 as a throwing knife), the long narrow dagger-like steel blade, designed to economize on priority steel requirements, was best used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon, and performed less well when used for slashing strokes.