Can anyone help identify Vietnam era Barteaux machette

[waybackntime]

I inherited this machette from my father and would like to know something about it. It has an aluminum handle and measures as follows: 23 inches long overall, handle is 5 1/2 inches long, blade is 17 inches long. There is a stamp on the handle that reads Bartueax USA. The machette has a leather sheath that measures 22 inches long and has a stamp on it that reads Neel & Sons. I can send pics if anyone wants to see it. Email me at waybackntime@cableone.net. Thanks to anyone with any info!

[Cougar Allen]

Welcome to Bladeforums!

Let’s see if we can find the right forum …

[bernard_levine]

Welcome!

Please post your pictures in THIS thread.

Read the instructions here:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=353471

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Frank Barteaux began making machetes in Portland OR c1941, but those were unmarked.

He began marking them c1947, while living in Waldport OR, and working part time for Gerber.

In 1954 he moved back to Portland, taking over the old shop of David Z. Murphy, who had gone bankrupt. The main business was machetes, but the family firm also made hunting knives; some look similar to Gerbers or to Murphys, but others are different.

Frank Barteaux died in 1990, but the business continued for a while after that.

BRL...

[bernard_levine]

I've been sifting through shelves and boxes (anything to avoid working on taxes) and finding all sorts of odd forgotten paper... such as this Barteaux 'catalog,' undated, but I suspect mid to late 1980s. This is the whole thing.

BRL...

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[xeodguy]

Does it look anything like this?

[bernard_levine]

Very close.

Here are his pics.

BRL...

[waybackntime]

Yes, it is very similar. Do you think it is a vietnam era item. What do think it is worth?

[xeodguy]

I believe these are from the Vietnam era. I bought mine for about $30 a few years ago; I expect yours would be worth that, possibly more since it is in better shape. Keep an eye on Ebay to get an idea, since they do show up there from time to time.

[Sidehill Gouger]

"From the Vietnam era" What does that mean anyway? While they were made during the 60 and early 70's they were never U.S. military issue. They mostly sold to survey crews and woods engineers here in the Northwest. I owned a couple of the aluminum handled versions during this period. I would say they were a little higher quality than the current models but not enough to matter to someone just looking for a working tool.