Schrade Cutlery Co. Paratrooper knife, model M2; this is the No.1 pattern, the earliest M2 model with no bail.  Knife is 4-1/4 inches closed and 7-1/4 inches with single clip blade open.  Blade tang stamped:  SCHRADE  CUT. CO.  WALDEN, N.Y.  on the front and:  U.S. PATS.  DEC 21, 09.   SEPT 13, 10.  JUNE 6, 16.  on the back.  There is no nail mark; this is a spring assisted knife with a press button release and a release locking mechanism. Scales are jigged bone, liners are steel and bolsters are nickel silver; this is a barehead knife.

Condition is used – NKCA – Excellent.  The front scale has a hairline crack at one pivot end pin; the back scale has a hairline crack at one pivot end pin and a large chip missing at the cap end.  Blade has shallow pits and scratches, is 98% length and 95% width and has moderate wobble.  The spring action is strong, blade locks in open position and the button lock works.  Photos are explicitly part of this description.

The M2 Paratrooper knife was developed in late 1940 for parachute jumpers after 50 knives were ordered from Schrade Cutlery Co. for testing.  It was adopted in December 1940 as Knife, Pocket, M2.  The knife was opened by pressing a button on the handle, causing a spring to fly the blade open.  It was designed to allow airborne troopers to cut themselves free if they became entangled in the suspension lines of their parachute during landing. A small zipper pocket was provided in the M42 Jump Jacket at the lapel to carry the M2's since the other pockets were liable to be inaccessible due to parachute harnesses and field gear.  This is the earliest model, commonly called the No. 1, with bone handles and no bail.  Later models had metal or plastic handles and a bail. Note:  This information, and much more, is from:  www.101airborneww2.com/equipment2.html.

Item # 71781