While not an avid knife collector, I do pick up an interesting one now and then. Recently came by this original 1917 Bolo Knife made by Springfield Armory . It is in very good shape with the original canvas covered wooden sheath. Probably won't EDC this but it is certainly a piece of history. It's roots are as an agricultural tool. As a weapon of war it was made in several sizes by several different companies or agencies. Bolos are one of those utilitarian tool/knives much like a modern Bush Knife that you can use to butcher a pig with or chop out a primitive shelter or make a spear with (think Rambo). Or dispatch an enemy. They were issued to machine gunners to use to help camouflage their nests or clear fields of fire. In the Philippines they were issued to indigenous resistance fighters when firearms were not available. In WW2 these Bolo raiders were much feared by the Japanese. This will go in that special box with all the other unique knives. I will drag it out occasionally for show and tell with friends over a glass of sour mash or maybe just to look at by myself when in the mood. If only it could speak to tell it's own stories!
Very nice. Might not want to know some of the stories it could tell!! What is the little knob behind/in front of the guard?
As I understand it there was a sheath design that had a little hook keeper on it. The knob is a plunger to release the knife from the keeper. That type of sheath was discarded but the plunger remained for a period of time til it was dispensed with also. I'm still researching this. As I think of it you may be right about "all" of the stories!
That was my first thought then when I saw it in the sheath, I wondered if it held an interesting invention. Bet it was discarded because I bet it "chewed" up a bunch of fingers when the knife was stabbed into something.
