MD USN

[doglegg]

You probably know a lot more than me. Thanks.

[doglegg]

eveled, I found another knife like this one from an old ebay listing that had black handles. It had the same can opener. Also looking at mine, it appears that it once had a bail that has been removed.

[doglegg]

eveled, Silvey does show the knife as being a WW2 knife on page 58 with the blade etch. Thanks for correcting my assumption. I guess early knives would have had the brass liners. Thanks for getting me to look a little deeper.

[eveled]

It’s fun to learn about these old knives. Especially the military pocket knives. They get over looked, the combat knives get all the glory.

I agree yours probably lost it’s bail along the way. Most if not all 4 blade camp/scout style knives have bails.

I always wondered why the USN marked their 4 blade knives with the MD it’s the same knife the other branches gave everyone. Then had a USN marked 3 blade knife for the sailors when nobody else even issued a 3 blade knife. It’s strange.

All the bone handled ones I have have brass liners and two piece can openers. (Except for the Mountain division model with a hook can opener, but it’s different than the ones after the war)I think they are early or Pre ww2.

I don’t have any with blade etches or a can opener like yours. It’s a great knife to have.

After ww2 they all had the one piece hook can opener. ((AFAIK)

[doglegg]

Thank you Sir for the information and what a great group you have. I read that the MD USN knives were part of medical kits including gauze, bandage, iodine etc. I saw a couple of list of what was included. I also read that the original specs stated shield stamped MD USN but allowed the absence of a shield if there was a blade etch. Thanks again for the information and the wonderful pics of yours.

Also to have one of the Mountain division knives is a treasure. Yours looks good.

[eveled]

I just found this on line pretty interesting document.

Thanks for the kind words. The mountain division knife, is a tough one to get, mine looks good from this side but is damaged on the other. Still it’s a neat knife. The flat bail, the Phillips bit, the clip point master and sheep’s foot all make it unique.

The reading I’ve done on the mountain division knives all indicate mine is the last version because of its eagle beak can opener (I’ve been calling it a hook style). That’s why I use the can opener to estimate the age of these knives, and why I think yours is early or prewar.