Case M3?? Help ID Please

[JB71]

I've got a Case knife that I'm not quite sure what it is. It has a parked blade, smooth leather stacked handle and a case marked on the guard. That is the only markings I could find on the knife.

I was wondering if this is an M3 or not. It doesn't seem to fit the description of an M3 (handle smooth not ridged, guard straight not bent, not marked "M3") but it does bear a resemblance to one.

I read somewhere that case was not as uniform with their manufacturing as other brands and had slightly different varients...is this a different variant of a USGI M3 or just a commercially sold knife?

Thanks for looking....

Information

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[SKIPH]

JB71-Looks good to me. Handle does seem a little slim, but my guess is legit. Check the "CASE" stamp w/ a good magnifying glass, You can see how the letters were stamped. I have seen some pictures of some Case straight guards that almost look engraved. SKIP

[JB71]

SKIPH,

Thanks for the reply. The CASE is without a doubt stamped and the corners of the E and A are sharp and crisp (well as much as they can be considering the condition). I did a little more research here and I'm guessing this is what's known as a Case "straight guard" knife??

I also believe I read (I did a lot of searches so I can't remember exactly) that you have one? If so, then what would be the best scabbard/sheath for it. I have it in an M8A1 Scabbard now but I don't think that's correct.

I picked it up at a garage sale, paid $50.00 for it. I was a little worried about the condition that I paid too much but everything about it screams USGI. All of the wear and patina on it is without a doubt old so I figured it was either a WWII period knife or a commercial knife from that time period. Either way, I'm glad I bought it.

[SKIPH]

JB71-About scabbards. Been tracking straight guards on ebay. It's a mixed bag. Out of 17 knives, a) 4 had M8 scabbards b) 1had an M6 c)6 had leather sheaths of varying types. Mine was mint no scabbard. d) 2 had grooved handles e) 3 had shiny blades. As for using an M8 scabbard, keep in mind it will wear the finish off the blade. If you have Silvey's book of WW2 knives, he has a good photo of the leather scabbard that I have seen the most. Good Luck! SKIP

[SKIPH]

JB71- If you scroll down this site to" M3 Identification" Rockdawg has a photo of the type of leather scabbard that I have seen the most w/ Case knives. SKIP

[JB71]

Thanks SKIP, I appreciate the info.

Ya know, I don't consider myself a bayonet and knife collector. Yet, I've seem to accumulate a few over the years, I think I'll take some photos and post them here...What's the fun of collecting of you can't share eh?

Thanks again.