U.S. Machete (?) WWI Vintage

[lawrence_n]

A buddy dropped by with an interesting piece of U.S. military history. I've never seen one of these before so I'm hoping one of you guys can either give the lowdown on it or steer me to someplace, or someone, who can. It's (I believe) a military issue machete or hacker blade. I'll let the pics speak for me. On an interesting note, the edge is only ground on the right side leaving the left side flat. Odd, that! So? Any thoughts?
P.S.: I've done a little research and what I'm seeing, price wise, has me gobsmacked! Anything from 400+ to 700+ dollars. Are those prices at all currently realistic???

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[Aragorn243]

That is a 1909 bolo knife not a machete. It was designed for jungle use by all branches, not just the medical corps like the previous models. It was deemed too large for general use in non jungle environments and was replaced in general issue by the 1910/1917 bolo knife. Obviously still made and issued in 1917. These would be more common in the Philippines and Central America than other places. Price should be closer to the $300-$400 range. I thought I had one but can't find it so perhaps I do not.

[browningautorifle]

Anything from 400+ to 700+ dollars. Are those prices at all currently realistic???

Not here in Canada...for sure. Those prices aren't for the average Bolo either, look closely at the high priced examples for the reasons...

[lawrence_n]

Not here in Canada...for sure. Those prices aren't for the average Bolo either, look closely at the high priced examples for the reasons...

The pics I saw were light on descriptions and/or provenance so I really couldn't tell why the asking price was as high as it was. To my admittedly unknowledgeable eye, other than some different dates and different stamps on the sheaths, they looked pretty much the same.

[Aragorn243]

You have to remember there is an asking price which some guys put out there in hopes of making the big score with some fool easily parted with his money and the more realistic individuals that bought low and sell to make a profit. I'm not even saying the $300-$400 range knives are selling, I don't think they were, but there were a lot of guys selling in that range. A few were in the much higher bracket.

I typically sit and watch these things until I can get on for under $200 and I usually do. Like I said, I thought I had one of these and one with the finger grooves in the handle but I didn't find them yesterday. They could be upstairs in my bin.

[browningautorifle]

I guess if Ebay then it will find it's price if you start lower without reserve but if gunshow you'll probably find out what guys are willing to pay if you listen to them chat...