FORD Machete ?

[Derek Eddlestone]

I had a request for a WW11 machete and having eventually found it I looked at it critically to make sure it wasn't a piece of junk and I spotted some markings on the scabbard. I can't make them all out but what I can see is GAU-??? 4255 and then I noticed that the material and the edging is the same as I've got on wartime vehicle canvas. I have a GAU stamped FE bracket that I've always believed was Ford, a GAU marked mirror cover and a GAU marked folding saw in a canvas pouch that comes from a Ford Universal Carrier. The machete is a 1944 dated Collins 'Legitimus' measuring 19.75" overall with a 14.75" blade. My copy of MH Cole's Military Knives lists a 26", 22" & 18" blade but no 15" (14.75")

Can anyone enlighten me further?

The number is to the right of the pencil but I can't make it all out with the scabbard in front of me so don't strain your eyes.







Derek.

[Chuck Lutz]

Derek.....the GAU Fire Extinguisher has the following on it:
GAU
C124188
G8T-17103

I have always believed it was not a FORD made item, but the GAU stood for who the subcontractor was....the "C124188" was the GAU part number.....and the "G8T-17103" was the original Ford part number since it was first entered into the Ford parts system as an item for the Ford 1 1/2 ton G8T truck.

No idea who "GAU" was/is....

[Derek Eddlestone]

Derek.....the GAU Fire Extinguisher has the following on it:
GAU
C124188
G8T-17103

I have always believed it was not a FORD made item, but the GAU stood for who the subcontractor was....the "C124188" was the GAU part number.....and the "G8T-17103" was the original Ford part number since it was first entered into the Ford parts system as an item for the Ford 1 1/2 ton G8T truck.

No idea who "GAU" was/is....

For clarity can I explain that the GAU FE bracket was lifted off a Ford jeep and I didn't mean to imply that it was produced by or produced in a FORD factory. Having cleared up that little mystery could we concentrate on the origins of the machete?

Derek.

[AZ Jeff]

Derek,

I associate the blade form with British/Commonwealth and I know Collins made lend-lease equipment for those forces so... As far as application? I could certainly envision vehicle kit on a Ford-produced unit including such a piece (in much the same way as a T-16 folding saw).

Jeff Q.
AZ

[Steve Webb]

It does look like the British Golok? type blade. The OSS did have a few machete type knives like the Smachet so maybe something they had made?

[Derek Eddlestone]

It did turn up in the UK but the full markings on the blade read:-

Legitimus
Collins & Co
Made in USA
No 1250
1944

I don't know whether the No 1250 is of any help?

Derek.

[Ian Fawbert]

Hi Derek,

Similar (same?) machete and scabbards/covers were fitted/issued to the CMP trucks as part of their tool kit- of which Ford was one of the manufacturers of these trucks along with Chev, so, it may be one of the ones issued to a Ford CMP as part of its tool kit? Whether the machete is original to the scabbard though is unsure?

These turn up here in Australia (not as a sets usually, more as individual pieces), however i havent posessed one to see if it was marked as yours, or if it carried the normal D^D markings seen on alot of our gear (i have seen D^D ones on ebay Australia though- both machete and scabbards)

Maybe a request on www.mapleleafup.net/forums in the softskin or mil equip forums might yield some answers as they are more CMP orientated!

Hope this helps,

an.

[Derek Eddlestone]

Thank-you for all of the helpful replies. I just looked on eBay and found :_

You are bidding on a WW 2 Legitimus Collins & Co. Made In USA 1250 machete, dated 1945. These machetes were made under contract for the Canadian military & were not used by American forces. This piece is about 19 1/2" long with the blade measuring about 14 1/2". this machete is a full tang construction with smooth black bakelite grips & it has no sheath. We believe the Canadian Army classified this as a "Bush Knife".

Item number: 370602362822

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This 1940 dated machete was made under contract for the Canadian military & were classified as a Bush Knife. This piece is about 19 1/2" long with the blade measuring about 14 1/2". This machete is a full tang construction with smooth black bakelite grips & it has no sheath.

Item number: 130687835597

Now I can bargain with a bit of knowledge to fall back on...........


Derek.

[lt.luke]

When I saw this, I thought that the scabbard did not have a US look to it.

[Derek Eddlestone]

When I saw this, I thought that the scabbard did not have a US look to it.

Do you think that the Canadians made their own scabbards or did Collins & Co make the scabbards to Canadian specifications?
It's construction and the material used is the same as other items of WW11 vehicle canvas that I have here.

Derek.

[lt.luke]

Based on the markings & the materials, I think it was made here to Canaian specs. It is a neat piece.