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Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2024 1:58 pm
by Yahoo89
It looks like the bottom was part of a WW1 trench knife with the knuckles but the top a kbar?
Not a knife expert by any stretch.
Any info would be greatly appreciated! Not looking to sell, just looking for info.
This was given to me by my grandfather, he was not military or anything, he found it when he was a building super many years ago.
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2024 4:16 pm
by treefarmer
Welcome to AAPK, Yahoo89.
The first picture shows the knife maker as PAL, so that will probably put that knife in the WWII era. Just looking around on the web, those PAL military knives were designated PAL RH-36, they had stacked leather handles. I would guess that somebody modified it with the handle that is similar to the WWI trench knife. The critter head on the pommel is interesting, is it a lion?
Treefarmer
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2024 5:22 pm
by zzyzzogeton
The OP's knife has PAL on one side and USMC on the other, making it a WW2-era 1219C2 that has been rehandled at some point in its lifespan.
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2024 11:43 pm
by SwedgeHead
Yep, a PAL miltary issue. Else it might have the RH model number instead of just PAL (PAL RH-36, RH-37 and so on - a Remington name sake)
Here is what it may have once looked like:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/364955684446?i ... R-6DpPCTZA
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2024 11:53 pm
by eveled
The story is that the leather handles would rot off. Then machinists mates on Navy vessels would cast aluminum handles onto the knives. The 1918 handle was a popular knife to use as a pattern. They would make a sand mold using the original handle then pour in molten aluminum. (From Kamikazi planes).
The most famous person to (cast handles on a ship) was Eugene W. Stone, his originals are practically priceless today.
No way to know if yours is a period replacement or, a modern attempt. Without some documentation or provenance it is impossible to tell. Putting an approximate date on when he found it, may help your opinion of its authenticity.
This is not my picture not my knives, but a great representation of Mr Stones knives
He reportedly charged $15 and you had to supply the blade. The level of detail he put into each one is amazing. The details were added after the handle was cast using files and punches. His (are) works of art
Edited for clarity edits in parentheses
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 12:07 am
by SwedgeHead
too bad they didnt use brass, that would have been cool, now I might have to try it. Sweet !
Great info !
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 1:12 am
by ThatWeirdKnifeGuy
eveled wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2024 11:53 pm
The story is that the leather handles would rot off. Then machinists mates on Navy vessels would cast aluminum handles onto the knives. The 1918 handle was a popular knife to use as a pattern. They would make a sand mold using the original handle then pour in molten aluminum. (From Kamikazi planes).
The most famous person to do this was Eugene W. Stone, his originals are practically priceless today.
No way to know if yours is a period replacement or, a modern attempt. Without some documentation or provenance it is impossible to tell. Putting an approximate date on when he found it, may help your opinion of its authenticity.
This is not my picture not my knives, but a great representation of Mr Stones knives IMG_6837.jpeg
He reportedly charged $15 and you had to supply the blade. The level of detail he put into each one is amazing. The details were added after the handle was cast using files and punches. His were works of art
That's super cool. The story and the knives. From kamikaze planes...sort of a returning the favor sentiment.
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Thu Jul 11, 2024 6:50 pm
by Yahoo89
Thank you all for the replies.
Yes it is a lion head.
My grandfather was actually the super of an apartment building in brooklyn so maybe it is that persons work, maybe not cause the detail looks better on those you posted.
Either way, thank you very much!!
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2024 11:53 am
by eveled
I didn’t mean to imply Mr Stone made your handle. Keep in mind there were machine shops on every large ship and every base. Also the technology involved to make a sand mold and cast aluminum is relatively simple and it was something taught in trade schools back then.
The lack of provenance doesn’t take away from the fact it is a real WW2 blade and a neat knife. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2024 1:28 pm
by 1967redrider
That's really cool! Those E.W. Stone knives fetch high prices, even the newer Ka-bar knockoffs aren't cheap.
to AAPK!
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Sat Jul 13, 2024 3:24 pm
by wlf
Thanks for showing and thanks Ed for sharing that information that I had never heard.
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2024 4:35 pm
by ken98k
eveled wrote: ↑Wed Jul 10, 2024 11:53 pm
The story is that the leather handles would rot off. Then machinists mates on Navy vessels would cast aluminum handles onto the knives. The 1918 handle was a popular knife to use as a pattern. They would make a sand mold using the original handle then pour in molten aluminum. (From Kamikazi planes).
The most famous person to (cast handles on a ship) was Eugene W. Stone, his originals are practically priceless today.
No way to know if yours is a period replacement or, a modern attempt. Without some documentation or provenance it is impossible to tell. Putting an approximate date on when he found it, may help your opinion of its authenticity.
This is not my picture not my knives, but a great representation of Mr Stones knives IMG_6837.jpeg
He reportedly charged $15 and you had to supply the blade. The level of detail he put into each one is amazing. The details were added after the handle was cast using files and punches. His (are) works of art
Edited for clarity edits in parentheses
"Works of art" is clearly subjective, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A terrible thing to do to a good knife in my opinion.
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2024 6:24 pm
by eveled
I was referring to the quality of the details Mr. Stone added after casting. As opposed to leaving them as cast. He was definitely an artist. In my opinion.
Re: Question about a knife I inherited
Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2024 3:15 pm
by 1967redrider
The new Ka-bars are selling for an even $1,000.