Help Id'ing Knife

[opaul]

A friend brought by this knife. I'm thinking it's a military fighting knife but I don't have any basis for that thinking. I know there are some serious experts on these type knives so I thought I would post it up to see if anyone has any ideas. There were some markings but I didn't have a magnifying glass with me to see it I could decipher the engraving. I couldn't find any other marks.

 

[s&wchad]

It looks like a USN Mark 1 (United States Navy). Remington (PAL) was a supplier and if so, would be marked on the opposite side of the ricasso.

The sheath looks like a commercial leather version. They're typically seen in a miltary U.S.N. MK 1 scabbard. Mine is marked "NORD" on the back.

 

[opaul]

I did some research and I believe it is a RH36 PAL USN fighting knife.

 

[30-30remchester]

This is one of the typical 6" fighting knives supplied by many different contractors. It has no real classification. The Mark 1's-2's -and 3's all had specific dimensions that they were required to follow. However the military was always short on knives and would purchase about anything a cutlery company would produce. Many different companies built 6" knives to their own specifications and were purchased by the government. This model was the most common and could be had either parkerized or with a bright blade.

 

[billwill]

RH36 PAL USN fighting knife....you got it. I have my Dad's. I beat the heck out of that thing
as a kid and it now sits in my closet still ready to go.

 

[Texas Star]

PAL RH-36. The original Remington version has a larger pommel. PAL bought Remington's knife business, I think about 1940.

Look at CAG Lee's knife in, The Bridges at Toko-Ri. Same knife. Lt. Brubaker(Wm. Holden) wore a Western equivalent. The knives are seen on their survival vests. Look for scenes after the second attack on the bridges, before Holden's plane crashes. The Navy fighters are Grumman F-9 F Panthers. See the clip on YouTube. After his crash landing, Holden's character draws his S&W Victory Model .38, the gun issued to USN pilots then.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF-SC-9b7tc[/ame]



I doubt that either pilot got the knife from the Navy, but both were very popular private purchase items then, before the official jet pilot's knife was adopted and issued to both USN and USAF aircrews. Some pilots still prefer private purchase knives.

The PAL RH-36 is NOT an official knife, neither a MK. I or MK II. The MK II navy knife is just the Marine Ka-Bar in a different, plastic or fiber sheath. The MK I knives have some variation but are all smaller.

 

[chief38]

I've got the same knife except the Sheath is a Fiberglass (I think) Gray Navy model with a canvas belt loop. It is RAZOR sharp too!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Check out Ka-Bar's website..... they make the famous 7" Marine Combat knife and a reproduction of the Navy MkI Knife with a 5" blade.

The MarkI is a great general utility fixed blade..... without looking to tacticooool !!!!

 

[Texas Star]

I've got the same knife except the Sheath is a Fiberglass (I think) Gray Navy model with a canvas belt loop. It is RAZOR sharp too!

I think you may be confusing your knife with the one shown, or the sheath was not originally with it.

Can you post a photo, to clear up the confusion?

 

[mrchuck]

I also have mine I used in the Viet-Nam tunnels.
Also that horizontal indentation in the blade is called a blood groove.
It made it easier for penetration and also quicker removal.
Have a nice day,,,,