Poll: M3 Trench Knife Real or Fake?

[Seavillian]

Can anyone tell me about this? Found it in the garage & supposedly my grandpa bought it from a swap meet or something like that. It smells really old and nasty. Is it real & can someone tell me about them, Thanks!

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[wolfcreed]

Are there any markings on the knife? I thought at first it was a bayonet for the M1 Carbine, but instead it does look like a fighting knife.

 

[Seavillian]

Are there any markings on the knife? I thought at first it was a bayonet for the M1 Carbine, but instead it does look like a fighting knife.

No marking on the knife, just the one on the sheath.

 

[JedB]

@Seavillian

From the 3rd picture I believe the sheath actually says
"USM8" in the big letters
and
"xxM CO." beneath it.

Are there any markings on the hilt or on the pommel?

 

[Seavillian]

@Seavillian

From the 3rd picture I believe the sheath actually says
"USM8" in the big letters
and
"xxM CO." beneath it.

Are there any markings on the hilt or on the pommel?

Correct on the sheath, no other marking besides that.

 

[rick benjamin]

Over 2 million made, knife I bought had some disgusting smelling oil on the leather handle. Came with the M8A1 scabbard. I left it out on side porch for a year, doesn't smell so bad.

M3 knife - Google Search

 

[rick benjamin]

Leather parts can be had at https://www.kabar.com/products/product.jsp?item=1217HC

 

[JedB]

This is the closest i've seen.
The hilt and blade guard look identical

WW2 US Army M3 Trench Fighting Knife PAL Blade Marked M8 Scabbard Dagger | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for WW2 US Army M3 Trench Fighting Knife PAL Blade Marked M8 Scabbard Dagger at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[BigDog67]

I'm thinking there should be a maker's name and a number if it is actual GI. Pal, Kinfolk, Camillus, KaBar are just a few.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

M3 knives will have a makers name on it...usually on the blade"s side or near the guard.
Also a "real " WWII M3 will have a two pins holding in the pommel...replicas have one pin.
Andy

 

[AK0perator47]

It depends! Look under the cross guard of the knife and see if there are any markings! In 1943 they had the company name and date on the blade. In 1944, they removed the date from the blade but still had the company. In 1945, all markings on the blade were removed but they marked under the cross guard. 9 companies made the M3. Boker is the rarest ones. If it has no markings on the blade or the cross guard then it is probably an Ontario Knife Company replica! And like @Andy54Hawken said... look for the double pin in the pommel! Excellent knife!

 

[AK0perator47]

BTW, I just saw the sheath and saw that it says M8. So if it has the markings on the cross guard, 2 pins, and the sheath shows M8 and it was not separated from the original knife... it is from 1945. M6 was the sheath from 43 and 44. Also in 45 they used the OD green/ fiberglass looking sheaths.

 

[AK0perator47]

@Seavillian and if you don't like it or want it I'll gladly take it off your hands

 

[titsonritz]

Fake, here's a "real trench knife"...

 

[JohnnyBoy]

M3 Trench Knife - The Fighting Knife - Antique Outings

M3 Trench Knife

antiqueoutings.com

.
Looks like in '44 they went to the M8 sheath and the markings were put on the cross guard instead of the blade.

 

[Patriot1775]

Real M3 Trench Knives will have the Ordinance Bomb on the pommel. Either makers name and date on the blade or the guards. My two authentic Utica Cutlery from 1943 marked on the guard with bomb stamp.