[rcmodel]

Army Air Force Folding Machete
This one made by Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. and adopted in Oct. 1942.

The blade is 10” long, 15 ½ OAL when opened, and is locked open by a liner-lock inside the handle.
Weight is about 1 1/4 pound.

It was part of the B4 bail-out kit attached to the parachute harness seat pack.
Some were issued with a steel blade guard, and some were issued in a leather flap-holster type sheath.

W.R. Case & Sons, Bradford PA and Camillus, Camillus NY made an identical version.
A similar but more ergonomic rounded plastic handle version was made by Imperial Cutlery Co., Providence R.I.

This one has seen much better days, but it still works.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/FoldingMachete1.jpg
http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/Knives/FoldingMachete2.jpg

rc

[1KPerDay]

Cool! Never heard of one.

[hso]

Didn't Kinfolks and Camillus make a version as well?

Here's the Imperial version.
http://gerbigmilitaria.com/wp-content/themes/snapshot/thumb.php?src=wp-content/gallery/us-wwii-imperial-folding-machete-with-guard/pix702509116.jpg&w=330&h=190&zc=1&q=90
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/RARE-US-WW2-IMPERIAL-Survival-Machete-Folding-Knife-/00/$(KGrHqV,!hsE4vZTQuibBOVQiJlReg~~48_35.JPG
The guard on the Imperial folded into the handle while the others didn't. The Imperial also came with a factory sheath.

[rcmodel]

Right, Camillus did make it too. Thanks for catching that goof!

I don't think Kinfolks did though.
They made the M2, M4, V-44, and a 6" fighting knife is all I know of.

rc

[hso]

Yeah, I don't find any pics of Kinfolks in my gallery of knife photos I've collected.

[VA27]

I keep one (Catt) in the door pocket of my truck. I picked it up in a pawn shop years ago for $5.

[rcmodel]

Take good care of it.

There will never be any more like it!

rc

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Nice snag/save rcmodel, I like the history surrounding such a blade.

Had it long?

[rcmodel]

Like many more of my military knives.
So long ago I can't remember when or where I got them.
Or how much I paid for them.

I just try to give old war vets like these a better home while I can, then they might have had in the past.

rc

[rcmodel]

and not a high and tight killer of men like me.Dang guy!
I just spit beer all over my keyboard!!

Thats a great one I haven't heard for a lot of years!!!

But do you still have her?

The Camillus, not the wife.
Who cares about a tramp wife who would do that, while her man was in Vietnam!

rc

[Gordon]

She is an appelate court judge (won't tell what state she ahem "worked her way up the ladder") presently , go figger and the folding Machete dissappeared about 1975 when I was a bachelor DEA agent !

[rcmodel]

Too bad, so sad! :(

But look at the bright side.

You could have killed her with it, and now look where she would be, and you would be! :D

I'm laughing with you, I hope!

Kinda gallows humer from one old GI to another, if you know what I mean.
And I'm pretty sure you do!

rc

[hso]

Atlanta Cutlery has a reproduction.
http://www.atlantacutlery.com/p-1485-us-wwii-folding-survival-machete.aspx

[Gordon]

Thanks for that link, I just ordered one with my initials :neener:

[rcmodel]

Well, Al B. Jiggered!

I didn't know anyone was making them again!!

How cool is that!

rc

[hso]

I can NOT attest to their quality.

[hso]

Case also made a non-folding version.
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ0sRESj5aySJISo6n13Ojd2aMznH3VOEaFFu5IiL2MlTLnm5gxz7tNN7-ACg

[Gordon]

I apologize for the use of my implied female dog word for my errant first wife. In the future I will attempt to keep my intercourse in an upward direction as befitting the venue.

[308win]

I had one like HSO's that I had since the late 50's. My dad bought it for me through an ad in F&S or OL. It disappeared one summer when my son was in HS and he swears he doesn't know what happened to it - imagine that! Nasty thing and great for building temporary duck blinds etc. Came with the leather sheath and a stone.

[rcmodel]

he swears he doesn't know what happened to itI raised two sons myself.

They never Do know what happened to anything of yours do they! :D

I'm still missing 5 Mag lights, 4 MIL-K pocket knives, 3 Army field jackets, 2 sheepwool & doeskin shooting mittens, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree!

And nobody knew nothing! :banghead:

rc

[rondog]

I'll be dipped! Another cool old WWII relic that I'd never heard of before! There's probably thousands of things made for that war that I've still never heard of.

[USAF_Vet]

I saw one if these at a militaria show at the VFW a couple years back. Always kinda regret not picking it up. Even had the scabbard. Guy only wanted $35 for it. Yeah, I'm kicking myself again.

[Deltaboy]

Wow RC I have never seen one! Now I got to be on the look out.

[19&41]

I have a Cattaragus folder also. It is a bit worn, but as I am leery of using it, it won't get too much wear. Nice to finally hear of it's intended purpose. Thanks!