M2 Paratrooper Knife

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

From the M. H. Cole book number III.

Developed in late 1940 for parachute jumpers. Fifty were ordered from Schrade Cutlery Co. for testing. It was adopted in Dec 1940 as Knife, Pocket, M2.

Style#1 Stamped "Schrade Cut Co. Walden N.Y. Has genuine bone handles. Blade is 3 1/8", overall 7 14".

Style #2 & #3 Are exactly the same knife except #3 being a larger copy of #2. Both have metal handles painted black. #2 has a 3" blade 7 1/8" O.A. #3 has a 3 3/4" blade and is 8 3/4" O.A. Both are stamped Presto, made in USA obverse Geo. Schrade Bridgeport Conn.

Style #4 Stamped Pronto Colonial. Smooth black plastic handles. Blade 3" O.A. 7 1/8". This is probably not Gov issue as it appears light and flimsy.

Style #5 Black imitation bone handles. 3 1/8" blade 7 1/4" O.A. stamped Schrade Walden N.Y. U.S.A.

Style #6 MC-1 designed in 1957 adopted 1958. Bright orange plastic handles. 3 1/8" blade, second hook shroud cutting blade, 7 1/4" O.A. Marked Schrade Walden N.Y. U.S.A.

Style#6 MC-1 Bright orange plastic handles. Marked Camillus New York U.S.A.

Not from the Cole book. Third maker.

Style #6 MC-1 This knife was made from early 1987 to early 1988. The knife had a 3 1/8" clip point blade marked "LOGAN/SMYTH/VENICE, FL./ U. S. A." with an additional unmarked shroud line hook cutting blade. Bright orange plastic handles and a staple for a lanyard complete the knife. Overall length was 7 1/4".

[Sarge]

I had an orange handled one issued to me in 1958 when I went to flight school. unfortunately they took it back when I washed out. Later when I went to Jump School & after I never saw one.
Sarge