WW2 OSS PHILIPPINE GUERILLA MACHETE.
Background
There is some confusion about the issue and use of this machete, according to the book “U.S. Military Knives, Bayonets and Machetes, Book III” by M.H. Cole, this machete was sold and distributed by the Cruver Manufacturing Company with Cruver supplying the plastic handle and Collins supplying the blade but was unmarked so as not to divulge the country of origin. The machete was said to have been made for the OSS, to be used in the Philippines and to be supplied to Philippine troops being trained in the United States for later insertion into the Philippines by parachute or submarine. There is also mention in the book "Fighting Knives" by Stephens (see page 116, plates 585, 586 and 687 on page 116 which states that this is a rare American OSS machete somewhat similar to a Burmese Dahl sword and goes onto describing the machete and ending in the statement "As is usual with Special Forces equipment, both the machete and scabbard are sterile having no manufacturer, unit or War Dept marks". Examples of this machete are also known to have been included in USAAF survival kits, more than likely for USAAF units conducting operations over jungle areas.
Item Description
This machete is in excellent condition showing minimal signs of use 95% of the blued or parkerized remains, the handle has no chips, cracks or seperation and remains tight on the blade. The scabbard only needs a good polish and remains supple with all stitching tight and intact.
This is a very rare machete given its OSS connections and they rarely come onto the market in this condition.