Holy Grail of Machetes DAH MKIII

[Aragorn243]

First one I've ever seen in person.

Blade marked 51 or 91 on one side. Other side G.N.S.45 and DAH MK III with part of a broad arrow I think.

Handle marked SA over 263

Scabbard marked 8 C broad arrow 642 and 001943

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Nice catch, not very common.

[Surpmil]

Leatherique is said to be the top leather preservative for classic cars. Might be just the thing for that scabbard. Surprising it was dried and cracked that much; not the best tanning originally perhaps.

The extra weight at the tip of the blade makes these more effective, and the fact that the cutting edge is not curved at the tip prevents it "sliding past" what it strikes.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

That looks like a very useful piece of kit. Never seen one either.
Great find.

[Flying10uk]

Would some people describe this style of machete as a "Panga"?

[Daan Kemp]

Certainly

[Aragorn243]

Would some people describe this style of machete as a "Panga"?

I would say no. The Panga is an African machete that has a very heavy curved tip with a pronounced point on it. Not sure if the Germans introduced this style or simply copied it but there are claims the Panga is what a WWI colonial machete would be for Germany. They attempt to sell them as such on eBay anyway. I watch them but haven't seen one worth taking a chance on yet. The Germans did make them as their marks are on some of them.

[Flying10uk]

I know that some British servicemen used the term "Panga" in the Far East during WW2 but I am not sure if they used it when referring to a particular style of machete or just as an alternative word for machete.

[Daan Kemp]

Panga in South Africa is just about any large blade [about forearm length, any shape] wielded in one hand for cutting bush, cane, undergrowth, branches in the way, etc.

[Surpmil]

Probably patterned after the Philippine Golok Bangkung which the US Army would have had experience of.

Also resembles the Parang of Malaysia, Borneo etc.

Not unrealted to the billhook or "fascine knife" either. particularly the one with a reverse hook on the back of the blade whose designation I don't recall now.