Identification

[dlr110]

This knife was in a group of blades that a man wanted me to try and clean up not for use but just to display.
The CASE XX stamp along the upper spine caught my eye. I don't really know anything about fixed blade knives and even less about the ones CASE may have made. I found no other markings on the blade or handle. The blade is 10 inches long and as you can see it looks like someone tried to use it for a hammer. I have found a lot of them pictured online and most are described as WWII Pilot's Survival Knife/Bolo. I have several questions:
Is my identification correct?
If so should I simply treat the rust and leave as is?
Or should I try to restore as much as possible?
I'll take whatever help and advice you have and thank you very much.

20260524_193145[1].jpg (43.61 KiB) Viewed 131 times

[1967redrider]

Some info from Levine's 2nd. Personally, I would remove the rust and leave it as authentic. Maybe find a guard if that's possible. Thanks for posting.

[doglegg]

This knife was in a group of blades that a man wanted me to try and clean up not for use but just to display.
The CASE XX stamp along the upper spine caught my eye. I don't really know anything about fixed blade knives and even less about the ones CASE may have made. I found no other markings on the blade or handle. The blade is 10 inches long and as you can see it looks like someone tried to use it for a hammer. I have found a lot of them pictured online and most are described as WWII Pilot's Survival Knife/Bolo. I have several questions:
Is my identification correct?
If so should I simply treat the rust and leave as is?
Or should I try to restore as much as possible?
I'll take whatever help and advice you have and thank you very much.

20260524_193145[1].jpg

That is a very early one before they made it a folder. Fabulous old knife. I'd get the rust off.

[Ridgegrass]

Agree, ease the rust off with 0000 steel wool and oil, then wax or oil it. Restoration is a scary word that brings to mind sandpaper, abrasives, polishing tools and other nasty things that remove the history from a relic. J.O'.

[Gunsil]

I agree, don't clean it up much. These did not come with any guard so looking for one is moot.