The M3 knife was first issued to U.S. Army soldiers in March 1943, initially provided to elite units such as airborne troops and the U.S. Army Rangers. As more M3 knives became available in 1943 and 1944, they were issued to other soldiers, including Army Air Corps crewmen and soldiers not equipped with a bayonet, such as those issued the M1 carbine or a submachine gun like the M3 grease gun. At the end of its production in August 1944, the M3 trench knife had one of the shortest production and service records of any U.S. combat knife. However, the blade design of the M3 continued in U.S. service through the U.S. M4, M5, M6, and M7 bayonets.
This is a fine example of the blade marked Case M3 knife with M8 scabbard. The blade is the early blued version and is most likely 1943 production. Grip is the 8-groove type with small ordnance bomb on top of pommel. Condition is excellent with fully blued blade showing only one small spot near right side tip that is worn, otherwise only the factory sharpening shows. Grip appears nearly unused. The cross guard and pommel retain nearly all original blue. Scabbard is very nice with longer style hanger and no metal attachment hooks. A top shelf piece.
