US Model 1909 Hospital Corps Bolo Knife-This knife is made by the Springfield Arsenal and dated 1912. This knife was made for both combat and utility. This is a gorgeous example. The walnut birds head handle is a nice auburn color; it is free of chips and cracks. The three brass rivets holding the grip plates together nicely complement the brass end cap at the “birds’ beak”. The straight steel crossguard has lost all of its original finish and is a nice toned gray steel. The leather scabbard is excellent. It is very well marked for the Rock Island Arsenal and dated 1915 TCC on one side, and what we believe to be “WUH” on the other. This has a metal throat held on with three rivets. The large belt loop at top and the tie at the bottom are excellent. This is an impressive scabbard. The large steel blade is also very nicely marked for U.S with a reference number of 14033. It is interesting that only 17,000 of these knives were made in total. The other side of the blade is marked “SA” indicating the manufacturer “Springfield Armory”. Underneath this we have the usual flaming bomb insignia and date 1912. The model 1909 Bolo knife was a rugged tool designed to aid US soldiers in clearing jungle foliage, especially in areas like Cuba and the Philippines. It was particularly useful for machine gun units during WW1 where clearing firing lanes was essential. This is in excellent condition. History: The United States military used the same basic bolo knife from the turn of the century all the way through to the WW2. In the beginning, the bolo was only issued to Hospital Corps in the fields. The long machete-type weapon was mainly used in jungle like surroundings to clear brush and for any task requiring a "chopper". The Philippine-American war of 1899-1902 was where American troops began to use this local weapon, and realized its usefulness. In the Philippines, machetes were called bolos, and this name stuck even as the knife went through several changes in its appearance. After the military had less use for such a long weapon, the bolo was considerably shortened. It was then issued to troops needing to clear their field of fire, such as machine gun squads.
History: The United States military used the same basic bolo knife from the turn of the century all the way through to the WW2. In the beginning, the bolo was only issued to Hospital Corps in the fields. The long machete-type weapon was mainly used in jungle like surroundings to clear brush and for any task requiring a "chopper". The Philippine-American war of 1899-1902 was where American troops began to use this local weapon, and realized its usefulness. In the Philippines, machetes were called bolos, and this name stuck even as the knife went through several changes in its appearance. After the military had less use for such a long weapon, the bolo was considerably shortened. It was then issued to troops needing to clear their field of fire, such as machine gun squads.
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