WW2 Marine Raider stiletto (1942)

Description

WW2 Marine Raider Stiletto.
Original item
: This is a genuine World War 2 Marine Raider Stiletto produced by The Camillus Cutlery Company of New York in 1942, with its original and correct Mosser M6 style belt hanger leather scabbard. This particular knife, although not perfect, is a nice, solid example of the historic blade. Please see attached pictures, which are an integral part of the description. The fist picture was taken in natural bright sunlight, while the others were taken indoors and showcase the unique dark patina on the blade, which is almost a “gunmetal” sheen in this specimen. This is a beautiful, yet rugged looking combat knife with lots of character.
Hilt:
The knife features a cast Zinc-Aluminum alloy handle that was experimental at the time. The knife was designed to conserve strategic metals that were in short supply during the war. There are no structural cracks in the pommel, hilt, or hand guard. There are some minor pits, dings, and scratches as might be expected from such an 80 year old combat weapon. A nice light grey patina uniformly covers the entire lower Zinc portion of the knife (see pictures). This hilt is one of the best of the best.
Blade:
The blade, which was stamped from high carbon tool steel, also retains a beautiful uniform patina. In fact, the factory etched side of the blade almost has a gunmetal blue-grey tint to it that I have rarely seen in this model. Given the wear patterns, this specimen likely saw combat service and was clearly stored in the original metal-reinforced leather scabbard for decades, hastening the lightening of the blade markings. Fortunately, the blade still bears traces of the delicately etched “USMC” scroll and “Camillus Cutlery Camillus NY” maker's markings on the proper side of the blade. As shown in the illuminated photos, these etchings can still be identified with strategically angled lighting (see pictures). Even this faint remnant is a very sought after trait for collectors of this knife because few examples have a clear image remaining.
Overall, the blade is in relatively good shape except for some minor pitting, scratches, edge chips, and an original needle tip that is blunted by more than 1/4inch. This is a common characteristic of these blades due to the wartime methods of manufacture employed to limit the use of strategic metals. The design of this knife was uncompromising in that it was a delicate tool to be used for one purpose, and that purpose was neither fieldcraft nor opening C-Rations. Long ago, this blunted tip was reshaped in a rather rudimentary fashion that one might expect to have occurred in theatre. As a result, the blade remains a little under the 7 inch length prescribed in the attached production documents.
Sheath
: The M6 style Mosser scabbard is the original mate, is in good complete condition, and still has the original functional snap on the intact retainer loop. It has the steel plates on both sides and reinforcing staples at the mouth. These staples, while protecting the leather, contributed greatly to the demise of the blade etchings. There are a few superficial scars on the front leather face of the sheath and a nice patina on all the metal parts (see pictures). There is a legible name “Scotty” on the back side of the sheath. Original Sheaths in this condition can easily fetch over 0 alone.
Summary
: The aforementioned flaws are typical of this 80-year old model due to wartime expediency requiring the use of cheaper, non-strategic experimental metal alloys. These imperfections are undoubtedly part of the stiletto’s charm, but it must be properly cared-for in order to keep it in good shape for the long term. The knife is best preserved in a low-humidity environment and should be protected from dropping or severe vibrations. The buyer will pay tracked and insured shipping, but I will carefully package the item to ensure it arrives safely. A signature will be required due to the value of the item. (See all attached pictures that are provided as an integral part of the description).
History
:
Although this knife has no specific individual provenance attaching it to an individual Raider, it belongs to a relatively small batch of WW2 blades with a well-known story.
The legacy of the U.S. Marine Raider Stiletto can be traced to the Commando Training Centre in Achnacarry, Scotland, where America’s first official Special Operations Unit, the U.S. Marine Raiders were introduced to British Commando training. President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill were both personally involved in the formation of the Marine Raiders, and the president’s oldest son James was a founding member. The Raider stiletto itself was patterned after the Fairbairn-Sykes Commando Knife, which had been in use at the centre a few years before the arrival of the Marine Raiders.
The U.S. Marine Raider Stiletto was the first knife in United States Marine Corps history to be designed by a U.S. Marine Corps officer, the then Lieutenant Colonel Clifford H. Shuey, who retired as a brigadier general and was formerly in charge of the Engineer Division at Headquarters Marine Corps. Shuey largely copied the Fairbairn-Sykes pattern, but changed the material specifications of some components (notably the handle) to reduce the need for high-priority strategic materials. These changes would eventually result in durability problems for the Raider stiletto. Perhaps the remaining intact originals such as this one are the best of the best and have already proven more durable than predicted or have simply been better cared for.
The knife was designed in 1942 and officially issued on a selective basis to the Marines, with priority to elite units such as the Raiders through 1943, when it was replaced by the ubiquitous Mk 2 “KA-BAR” combat/Utility knife. Camillus produced a total of 14,370 of these Raider Stilettos, including approximately 500 parkerized daggers issued to the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, with the rest being issued to the Raiders and the U.S. Marine Parachute Battalions (Paramarines).
Overall, this is a very interesting knife with some truely unique character traits. It would go nicely in a display case or shadow box. It would make a great gift for any Marine, knife collector, or military history buff. Don’t miss the chance to add this solid specimen to your collection.
This auction is for one Camillus Marine Raider Stiletto and it’s original sheath. Any paraphernalia, tools, or other accoutrements pictured are not included and are only shown for purposes of context and scale.
Thanks