WW2 US ISSUED AUSTRALIAN MADE WHITTINGSLOWE FIGHTING KNIFE
During WW2 US forces based their soldiers in Australia before moving North to fight in New Guinea and also the Pacific campaign to Japan.
Local knife producers were contracted to supply the US troops with utility/fighting knives, these producers were Gregsteel, East Brothers, Barkers Knives and Whittingslowe. The US termed these knives as 'Commando Knives'. The knives were originally made for Australian troops with some of them bearing the 'I' (inspection) and Broad arrow marks on the top of the crossguard, as is this example which is also stamped with' US 1944 whittingslowe to the blade showin issue to US troops. This knife comes with its leather scabbard, there is a leather crack to the retaining strap with the press stud on it. The wood handle has a small scrape to it which does not detract from its appearance.
These knives are highly collectable and this one is a good example.