Made by Collins & Co. of Hartford, Conn, this is a LEGITIMUS model No. 18 V-44 type Machete V-44 with "Green Horn" Handle. This Bowie style knife measures 14 inches long overall, with a 9 3/8 inch clip point blade. Blade is 2 inches wide at the widest point. It is offered in very good condition complete with leather sheath. The ricasso is nicely marked:
COLLINS & CO
LEGITIMUS
MADE IN U.S.A.
No. 18
The blade is in great shape, thought it does show some wear on the edge and light staining. It has been sharpened in the past, and still has a very sharp edge. The leather sheath is also marked with the COLLINS & CO. / LEGITUMUS name, and is their style 13 sheath. The leather is sound but has dried and has some cracking along the embossing on the front side. The belt loop has also broken .
Many people think that these were exclusively used by the Marine Corps, and while that is true the connection to the USMC is only a minimal fraction of this blades history. It's principle legacy lies within the Army Air Corp or Army Air Force depending on the era you are referencing. Following the declaration of war in December 1941 emergency procurement were made to include the procurement of 9 inch machetes the Collins #18 being one manufacture. The Collins #18 would have been acquired by the AAF at this time to fill emergency requisitions to supply new contracts of the old type emergency parachute kits and to supplement other kits until the 10 inch folding machete became available.
