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PAIR OF RARE “NEW CALEDONIA” MADE WW2 FIGHTING

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
PAIR OF RARE “NEW CALEDONIA” MADE WW2 FIGHTING

KNIVES. Among the mysteries of World War II fighting knives is who made the “NOUMEA, NEW CALEDONIA” marked examples. There are several articles written about these Pacific theater knives, the best article is by consignor from the Fall 2018 Texas Gun Collector magazine. There were up to 50,000 Allied troops stationed on the island of New Caledonia which is 750 miles off the East Coast of Australia. Noumea is capital of this French colonial island. Of the examples known, at least 3 are identified to members of the 2nd & 3rd Marine Raiders & 2 others are identified to US naval personnel. These unique knives have a variety of blade sizes but all are dbl. edged dagger point blades which are very well made & quite sturdy for their intended use. All have similar heavy brass lozenge shaped crossguards. All have stag grips in great variety, but all are attached by 2 iron pins.
1) 11.25" Overall, 6.75" blade, 1.1" wide. 2.5" Guard hand engraved “Noumea” & “New Caledonia”. L shaped stag grip attached w/ 2 iron pins. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: hand drawn card by Roger Ballard. CONDITION: very good overall w/ accompanying brown leather sheath. (02-15718/JS).
2) Especially stout 12.25" overall, 8" blade, 1.35" wide, 2.5" thick brass ovoid crossguard lightly scratched “NOUMEA”, straight stag grip retained by 2 iron pins. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: hand drawn collection card by Roger Ballard. CONDITION: very good overall, w/ accompanying brown leather sheath. PROVENANCE: Roger Ballard collection. (02-15719/JS). $600-800.