In WWII, the United States Marine Corps adopted a fighting knife which is now called the “USMC Stiletto” by collectors. A much rarer all-black unmarked version was issued to the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion.
Top: 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion “Killing Knife” Bottom: USMC Stiletto.
The author has observed 2 styles from WWII and a number of post-war commemorative copies.
USMC Stiletto with USMC in scroll and CAMILLUS maker name information on the blade. Bright blade.
1 Canadian Parachute Battalion “Killing Knife”. All black with no markings.
These knives were designed by Captain Clifford H. Shuey of the United States Marine Corps in February, 1942. The knife blades were made by Camillus Cutlery Company, of Camillus, New York. The cast Zinc alloy hilts and scabbards were made by outside contractors. These knives were generally issued to the USMC Raider Battalions and possibly to the USMC Pareamarines. We do NOT know the total number of these knives made during WWII. It is reported that 14,370 were made in the first two production runs of 5,000 and 9,370 however a third wartime production run was also made as stated by Tom Williams in 2012 on BladeForum. He stated that he has copies of the production records but I do not know the quantities on that run. I also do not know which run the all black version was made, though I suspect it was on the third run.
The blade is similar to the British F-S Fighting Knife designed by Fairbairn and Sykes. The USMC version looks like a clone, with a different grip texturing and the guard, grip and pommel are all one casting whereas they were separate parts on the British F-S Fighting Knife. The scabbard is similar to the M6 scabbard for the M3 Trench Knife and is also similar to, but much shorter than, the V-42 scabbard. Most of these USMC knives have the letters “USMC” in a scroll on the blade, similar to the custom scroll applied by Wilkinson Sword to some privately purchased F-S Fighting Knives.
These knives were not well liked by the Raiders and John Bakeberg, the son of one of those Raiders, told me how they practiced knife throwing at tree trunks until the blade broke.
The alloy in the grips tends to disintegrate and many knives are reported to have cross-guards crumble and chunks fall off.
USMC Stiletto
USMC Stiletto, with no markings remaining visible, with staples at throat of scabbard. Snap fastener strap is gone and the Marine fitted a leather lace loop fitted to retain the knife. Formerly in the Colin M. Stevens Collection.
This specimen is for sale by the way as I am focussing on the Canadian issued items. The Scabbard is in very good used condition. The blade is excellent although as usual the shallow etching has partly worn away. The hilt and cross-guard are in superb condition. Wikipedia says “Because of the decomposing Zinc-alloy handle, the stiletto is one of the rarest knives in theworldofmilitariacollecting, andKnife collectingand existing specimens can be expensive”
Here is a link to a photo of a well used USMC Stiletto with the same type of scabbard as above. The retaining strap is fitted low, as per the two holes on the example above. The higher position is the most commonly seen. This suggest that this scabbard was made with the strap low, and then it was moved to the higher position. The lack of staples and plates on both suggest that this may be from the first production run.
USMC Stiletto removed from its scabbard – front view – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto removed from its scabbard – back view – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto in scabbard – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto upper side of the guard showing that it is intact. Side B. – Colin M Stevens’
USMC Stiletto upper side of the guard showing that it is intact. Side A. – Colin M Stevens’
USMC Stiletto underside of the guard showing that it is intact. Side B. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto underside of the guard showing that it is intact. Side A. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto plain side of knife showing the blade. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto plain side of knife showing the pommel and upper grip. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto etching side of knife showing the undamaged blade tip. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto etching side of knife showing the very faint traces of the CAMILLUS maker’s name etching. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto etching side of knife showing the lower grip. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto etching side of knife showing the pommel and upper grip. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto scabbard – front view of top showing the M1910 belt hook, belt slots and snap fastener – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto scabbard showing the snap fastener – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto scabbard – front view of top showing the belt slots and oprn retaining strap. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto scabbard – front view of centre showing the throat of the scabbard. This 4th Version scabbard has no throat staples. There is evidence of a small fastening rivet as used for the retaining strap, suggesting that one was fitted there instead or as well as the traditional top strap. A friend who was a USMC veteran of Vietnam added such a strap on his F-S Fighting Knife so that he could carry it upside down. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto scabbard – front view of lower end showing the large grommet. This 4th version of scabbard does not have the metal plates. Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto scabbard – front view of lower end showing the large grommet. This 4th version of scabbard does not have the metal plates. Note the minor damage to this scabbard from being worn. The Marine sat down and the leather tip bent. Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto scabbard – back view of top showing the M1910 belt hook and belt slots. The two prongs of the rivet for the retaining strap are also visible. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto scabbard – back view of centre. The two holes of prongs of a rivet for a low retaining strap are also visible. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto back of the scabbard showing initials “D. S.” of the Marine who had this knife. – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto back of the scabbard showing the large grommet. . – Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto scabbard – front view of lower end showing the large grommet. Note the green verdigris which is created over the years by the reaction of brass to the leather. This is an indicator of age and therefore authenticity. Cleaning is recommened and toothpicks are a handy tool for this, but not metal tools. Colin M Stevens’ Collection
USMC Stiletto scabbard – back view of lower end showing the large grommet. Note the green verdigris which is created over the years by the reaction of brass to the leather. This is an indicator of age and therefore authenticity. Cleaning is recommened and toothpicks are a handy tool for this, but not metal tools. Colin M Stevens’ Collection
1 Canadian Parachute Battalion “Killing Knife”
Top: 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion “Killing Knife”
Bottom: USMC Stiletto. Colin M. Stevens’ Collection
1 Canadian Parachute Battalion “Killing Knife” Note that the tip of the blade had broken off and it had been resharpened crudely. Formerly in Colin M Stevens’ Collection.
1 Canadian Parachute Battalion “Killing Knife” Note that the tip of the blade had broken off and it had been resharpened crudely. Formerly in Colin M Stevens’ Collection.
1 Canadian Parachute Battalion “Killing Knife” showing a hilt and upper part of scabbard. Formerly in Colin M Stevens’ Collection.
1945 January 13 – Right after the Battle of the Bulge, a patrol of 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion in Belgium. The arrow points to a 1 CPB “Killing Knife”
1 Cananadian Parachute Battalion sniper Pte. R. C. Rushton Roermond, Holland 1945. He has a “Killing Knife” on his left hip. It is an all-black version of the USMC Stiletto. (Out of the Clouds)
1 Canadian Parachute Battalion sniper Pte. R. C. Rushton Roermond, Holland 1945. He has a “Killing Knife” on his left hip. It is an all-black version of the USMC Stiletto. (Out of the Clouds)
“I was issued the knife you mention in 1943 or 1944 by our quartermaster stores. I recall that it was darkened but I am unable to recall what was imprinted on the blade. Our knives were always referred to as “killing knives” and they were used to dispatch German soldiers on at least two occasions. Some training was provided on how to attack or defend from the front and how to attack from the rear.” – Roy C. Rushton, 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion.
