WWII Legitimus No. 18 Collins & Co Machete with No. 13 Leather Sheath-These types of knives are rare on today's market. Made by Collins & Co. of Hartford, Connecticut, this is a LEGITIMUS model No. 18 Machete with a black bakelite handle. The handle is in good condition, though slightly loose from the wood shrinking over time. The blade is a bowie style knife that measures 14 inches long overall, with a 9 ½ inch blade. It is offered in excellent condition, complete with leather sheath. The ricasso is nicely marked with a logo, and Collins & Co/Legitimus/Made in U.S.A./No. 18. The blade shows some sharpening and but is overall very good. It does show light wear from service, and the usual staining and light oxidation. These were issued "in the white" covered with a layer of lacquer, which would quickly wear off, allowing the blade to oxidize. The leather sheath is also marked with the COLLINS & CO. / LEGITUMUS name around the trademark logo, and is their style 13 sheath. The leather is in very good condition, with just a bit of the usual age-related deterioration. The belt loop is still attached and sound, and the markings are clear. The ornate tooled embossing is still fully visible, and the only liability is that tip of the scabbard is broken and a bit crushed inward. This is a very nice example of a US wartime blade.
History: The Collins & Co. Legitimus No. 18 is a type of large knife or machete with a complex history, originally developed for the Army Air Corps (AAC) in 1934 as the V-44 survival knife. It saw major production during World War II, with both the Air Force and the U.S. Marine Corps procuring large quantities. While widely used by the Army Air Force, it was also used by the US Marines, particularly the Marine Raiders.
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