A very good example of the wide bladed knife with rounded point designed to cut wood and bamboo to fashion temporary splints, poles, stakes, stretchers, or whatever else might be necessary to aid or evacuate a casualty in the dense jungles of the Pacific islands. These were made by several makers in both bright and dull finish. This one shows the bright finish and is nicely marked on the left side of the blade “U S M C / CHATILLON, N.Y.” for John Chatillon and sons. The metal is smooth, the edges remain unsharpened, and there are just scattered small gray age spots, thinner on the left, near the hilt, and smaller, darker on the right near the upper and lower edge. The grip slabs are fastened to the blade tang by three rivets and are secure, with nice color, surface and edges. The edges of the tang show some gray and the grips have a slight gap at the pommel.

The scabbard is the regulation brown leather with narrow brass throat and small grommet at the tip for a thong, made, marked and dated by Boyt on the leather riveted on the reverse and holding the wire belt hanger: USMC/BOYT/44. Based in Des Moines, IA, and a major supplier of leather gear in the war, Boyt was the only maker of these scabbards. The leather is very good, with some minor pressure dents, rubs, etc., but no dark staining. The “U” of the USMC and first two letters of Boyt are a little soft in the stamping, but unambiguous.

Devoted to saving lives under fire, service as a Marine hospital corpsman took a special kind of courage. This is a nice example of a key piece of field gear.  [sr][ph:L]

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