PAL Cutlery RH-36, WW2 connection

[LoboGunLeather]

Interesting knife from my collection. Prior to the 1930's Remington offered a series of hunting knives that were relatively popular. Model designations were generally "RH" followed by two digits indicating blade style and length. For whatever reason, Remington sold off the knife business to PAL Cutlery, which continued production of the same knife designs with the same designations.

One of the more popular models was the RH-36 (Remington Hunting, blade style 3, length 6"). Some of the best customers were sailors and marines, and the RH-36 was reportedly offered in many base exchanges and ships' stores.

At the outbreak of WW2 the US military began letting contracts for all manner of military equipment, including knives. Initially, PAL was contracted to produce directly for the Navy Department. A demand from the Marine Corps for a combat knife led to production of a model based very closely on the PAL RH-36, with contracts to KaBar, Camillus, and others, and production has continued for the past 70-plus years.

Here is one of the original pre-war (or early WW2 production) RH-36 knives. Forged steel blade 6-1/8" length, clip point with short false edge, fullers (blood grooves), steel guard, stacked leather grip, pinned aluminum pommel. The sheath is the left-hand version (both right and left were offered). Fairly nice example with no excessive sharpening or grind marks, tight guard, very good grip.

It is easy to see the basis of the famous USMC Combat Knife, as well as the USN Mark II.

 

[30-30remchester]

I as well have several of these in my military knife collection. These came in both blued and shiny blade versions. There are many photos of GI's wearing these. I have one that is mint plus condition. However this pristine knife does nothing for me. A well used blue bladed version, in the same condition as yours, is a favorite. It has the, been there, done that, look about it. If our blades could only talk and tell their story. Thank goodness nobody "shined up" yours.

 

[Texas Star]

I as well have several of these in my military knife collection. These came in both blued and shiny blade versions. There are many photos of GI's wearing these. I have one that is mint plus condition. However this pristine knife does nothing for me. A well used blue bladed version, in the same condition as yours, is a favorite. It has the, been there, done that, look about it. If our blades could only talk and tell their story. Thank goodness nobody "shined up" yours.

Can you post pics of that mint-plus example? I've never seen an as-new one. Actually, I'd like to see both of your knives.

Solingen makers have made knives based on the Remington and PAL models.

If I didn't have a Randall in WWII, one of these PAL RH-36's or the original Remington one would probably be my knife choice.

 

[30-30remchester]

TEXAS STAR, You requested photos of my PAL RH36 knives. Below are my photos. I made an error on my original post saying that these blades were blued when in reality they were finished in both bright and blackened. The top knife is a bright finished it has a few scratches on the blade from sharpening, otherwise blade and handle are perfect. The middle knife is a mint condition blackened blade that has never been sharpened. Both these knives are nice but just no personality. The lower knife is the knife that trips my trigger. It was originally a blackened blade that through use has had most of the blackening worn off, and lots of scratches and abrasions. This knife has some real character to it. I have a passion for used knives, holsters and guns. Over the years I have preached, to people who ask, do not clean, polish or restore historic guns or knives. The top knife is a prime example, when found it was pristine with no scratches on the blade and had never been sharpened. Then some ham handed collector had to sharpen it, poorly. I know this collector very well as I see his face in the mirror every morning when I shave. I have mentioned over the years that I have ruined literally dozens of antique knives by over cleaning them and otherwise sprucing them up. I look at this example often when I acquire an older knife that needs a little TLC.

 

[30-30remchester]

Many of us military knife collectors study photos to verify knife usage in war. These Pal 36's can often been seen being carried by naval aviators. On the history channel today they aired "WW II in HD". In one photo is shows the first Western L-77 I have seen. It was sitting on a box next to a marine in the Pacific. On a personal note, in this series is a segment on the Bataan Death march. There is a photo of my uncle sitting on the ground. The camera is actually focused on him among the mass of prisoners. I have seen the photo before but it still stirs me.

 

[eveled]

Mine looks like the one in the middle. Blackened blade, also unsharpened. The guards on these knives are interesting too, goes to a point on top and bottom different than the other PAL knives I have.

 

[gregintenn]

Remington sold off the knife business to PAL Cutlery

I don't recall ever hearing that before. I learn something new every day. Thank for sharing.

 

[brick]

I inherited my father's. He was a BM1C who served in the Pacific the entire war.

 

[30-30remchester]

I inherited my father's. He was a BM1C who served in the Pacific the entire war.

I have to ask, what is a BM1C? And was his knife a issue item or a purchased item, if he ever told you where he got it?

 

[brick]

BM1C = Boatswains Mate First Class

I found the knife while cleaning out the house, I could not ask him as he was deceased.

 

[Texas Star]

I, too, like to look for pistols and knives worn in wartime photos.

One of the best known knife pics is of Maj. Dick Bong (Medal of Honor) wearing a .45 auto in a shoulder holster and his Randall Model 1 knife. Looks like it had an eight-inch blade.

I also like literary references to knives. One of the best is in the James Bond book, "Live and Let Die", where Bond carried a commando knife devised by Wilkinson Sword in WW II. But Fleming didn't mention the model of this Fairbairn-Sykes knife. I've seen a First Model that was supposedly his. He may have had that in mind.

.30-30 Remchester-

Thanks for that photo. How long are those handles? I think Marble's would make them longer on request.

The Matt Helm books by the late Donald Hamilton often mentioned knives by make and model.

 

[30-30remchester]

I, too, like to look for pistols and knives worn in wartime photos.

One of the best known knife pics is of Maj. Dick Bong (Medal of Honor) wearing a .45 auto in a shoulder holster and his Randall Model 1 knife. Looks like it had an eight-inch blade.

I also like literary references to knives. One of the best is in the James Bond book, "Live and Let Die", where Bond carried a commando knife devised by Wilkinson Sword in WW II. But Fleming didn't mention the model of this Fairbairn-Sykes knife. I've seen a First Model that was supposedly his. He may have had that in mind.

.30-30 Remchester-

Thanks for that photo. How long are those handles? I think Marble's would make them longer on request.

The Matt Helm books by the late Donald Hamilton often mentioned knives by make and model.

Texas Star, I measured the handles and they are 4 3/4" give or take a 1/16. I never heard of Marbles offering custom handle lengths, but in the days of old customers were top priorities. I feel I have seen some of the larger knives that had longer handles than the smaller patterns. All I have left of my Marbles collection are the smaller Woodscrafters. I have never understood the appeal of Randal knives. I know, I know, beat me to death with a wet noodle. I have owned only 6 and never could get a good feeling and sold them. I will probably live to regret that some day.
I was cruising some old photos the other day and saw my first Ruana and Australian knuckle knife being worn by GI's. I am still in pursuit of a photo of a soldier wear a Cole knife. Of course I have a special interest since I have one of his early 9 knuckle knives.

Regards:
Steve