*Rare WW11 V-44 Bowie Survival Knife by Kinfolks, with original tooled leather sheath by Collins & Co. Legitimus #13.*
Rare and unusual American bowie knife with black composite/plastic scales, brass crossguard, the Bowie style clipped-point fullered steel blade impressed with Kinfolks Inc. 24cm blade, 36.5cm in length. Tooled leather sheath, by Legitimus Collins & Co, embossed with the Collins logo and the correct number “13”.
The first-ever US Army Air Corps survival knife, introduced in 1934, was designed for inclusion in the “bail out” kits of flyers stationed in tropical regions such as Hawaii, Panama, and the Pacific Islands. The original model, known as the No 18 Machete, was manufactured by Collins & Company. This Collins version initially featured horn grip scales secured by five brass rivets and had a brass cross guard with distinctive lobe-shaped finials that resembled a barbell.
During the production of the Collins V-44 knife, four variations emerged. The first two maintained the horn grip scales, fastened with brass rivets, differing only in the blade stamping that identified the knife and its maker. The third and fourth versions replaced the horn grips with Bakelite, initially secured using brass rivets and later with steel rivets. Kinfolks’ V-44 knife copied the third variant with Bakelite grips, lead rivets, and a brass “barbell” guard.
The USAAF acquired approximately 50,000 of these knives between 1934 and 1942. Collins & Company, Case, Kinfolks, and Western were the manufacturers involved in the eight-year production period for the US Army Air Corps. Among the “V-44s,” Western Cutlery’s knives (known as the W-49 Bowie) are the rarest, followed by Kinfolks-produced variants. Collins and Case were responsible for the majority of V-44 production. During World War II, the V-44 also served with Colonel Carlson’s 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, earning the nickname “Gung Ho knife.”
This specific V-44 Survival Knife is one of the rare models produced by Kinfolks, a company that emerged as a result of the success of W.R. Case & Sons and Cattaraugus cutlery companies. Kinfolks, founded by Case family cousins Dean and Russ Case along with Tint Champlin in 1925 in Little Valley, New York, was established to provide production support and fixed-blade knives to the other two companies. During World War II, Kinfolks manufactured various edged weapons for the US government, including knives and bayonets.
*Condition*
This rare Kinfolks WW11 Bowie knife is in great condition with service related wear and tear. The blade has some minor pitting but the Kinfolks Inc mark is clear. The tooled leather sheath is in excellent condition with minor signs of usage. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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