Newbie, Knife identity? [Cattaraugus 225Q]

[redka]

Please help identify and value. I have an old sheath knife, 10.5" overall length, 6" blade. It has rusted somewhat. The handle seems to be made of something like a compressed leather. There is a name written on it in script, but difficult to make out the spelling. Something like "Callanauga." Then a number under it, maybe 2250.
Any help appreciated for the correct name spelling and some history and value would be appreciated. Or where to look for such info. Thanks.

[freedoom]

pictures would help.

[DJD]

Probably Cattaraugus. Pictures needed.

DD

[BA_Colt]

Sticky: READ THIS FIRST! How to ask questions that get answered.

[redka]

Probably Cattaraugus. Pictures needed.

DD

DJD, I think you got it. Did a google and came up with Cattaraugus 225Q, WWII Navy knife like this.
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/..._catt/225Q.jpg

Any idea of a value estimate from poor to excellent condition?
This one is probably poor to fair.
Thanks.

[redka]

Probably Cattaraugus. Pictures needed.

DD

DJD, I think you got it. Cattaraugus 225Q, WWII Navy knife. I see some on ebay. Thanks.

[gbuskirk]

If you want an idea of the range that Catt 225Q's sell for, you'll see them in the range of $20-$60 on Ebay, varying with condition, sheath availability, and perhaps sheath markings. I once got 3 nice ones in a lot for $60, with sheaths. It is very rare to find one without damage to the original leather-washer handle - perhaps due to the way they were shipped.
This may have no bearing on the value of yours, given that you haven't shared pictures. Providing pictures is, in a way, a courtesy to those you are asking for help.

[anvilring]

"It is very rare to find one without damage to the original leather-washer handle - perhaps due to the way they were shipped."

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If your refering to the somewhat uneven/rough way the leather rings are cut and stacked; they, Cattaraugus, did that on purpose. They are all that way. When you see the odd one with a smooth handle, you will also find it looks "smaller" in diameter....and for good reason: its been sanded to death.

m

[makandr]

[gbuskirk]

They also usually come with the type of sheath shown above, which I call a left-handed or left hip sheath. If worn on the right, this puts the edge forward. I have only one with a right-handed sheath, and I'm not sure it's original. I don't know if the knife was more commonly worn on the left, perhaps as a secondary weapon/tool, or if someone thought a blade up/forward draw was appropriate for a military knife on the right side. 225Q's are still pretty easy to find and afford, and some people like to restore or mod them and put them to use.

[John A. Larsen]

I just got a 225Q, which unfortunately has been cleaned up, but the blade is just about full, and would make a good user knife. Then I noticed on the sheath "Lt. J. C. Smith O-537247". A friend traced it to Lt John C. Smith, Jr. 418 Liberty St, Culver, Indiana. He received an Oak Leaf Cluster (means second award) to his Distinguished Flying Cross for the period 8 April 1945 to 11 May 1945, flying unarmed transports (C-47's?) in the India/Burma theater. He died in 2000, and is buried in the Ft Logan, National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado. Some 600 planes went down flying the "Hump". If you survived the crash landing, or were able to parachute safely to the ground a 225Q would have been an excellent knife to have on your belt. The famous news man Eric Severiad (?) was in just such a crash and ended up having the crew and himself helped by Naga Head Hunters to get to friendly lines. John

[redka]

My apologies to all for not posting pics. I suppose I got a bit spoiled on a couple other forums where pic posting is easier...no offense intended to bladeforum.
As on other forums, folks here are quite helpful and friendly...so again thanks for taking the time to help me.

[xeodguy]

Someone like Frank Trzaska could actually answer the question about why the sheaths are left-handed, but I'll venture a guess based on the time I spent in the military: sidearms were worn on the right hip. A pistol would almost always be in a holster on the right hip, so anything else (canteens, for example) would be worn on the left to balance things out. May have been the same idea for having the knife sheath made that way. I have owned a couple of the Catts, but never had the sheath.

[1066vik]

The other thing I have heard about these is they were primarily issued to the quartermaster corps for opening crates, cutting ropes, & such, not primarily as a fighting knife. Yes, most of these guys had 1911's on their hip rather than carrying a rifle or carbine, because their job required 2 hands and so the left hand sheath.
since I got the info 2nd hand, it could easily be wrong, but it makes sense to me at least.

[Still-a-Marine]

Here's an artice by Frank Trzaska on the "Q" knives of WW2.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/foru...howtopic=31346

[olwogo]

Thanks for the article Still-a-Marine! That is an excellent read! now I know where my uncle Pollard got that knife. He was in the Navy. It's a Cattaraugus 225Q. In excellent shape. Once again Thanks!

[Thomas Linton]

From available evidence, the 225Q was issued to all branches of the service, include Marines and paras and to combat personnel in those organizations. As regards navy Dept. personnel, I have not seen pictures of it being carried by Sailors, just Marines and Seabees.

The sheath causes the knife to be drawn edge up by a right-handed user whether worn on the right or the left. The predominant knife-fighting theory of the day was that, in fighting, the knife is held edge up ("Practical Grip") and below the waist. A thrust from such a position is instinctively blocked downward, and the blade-up position allows the blocking arms and hands to be slashed. Or so it was said.