BOWIE KNIFE MARKED JAPAN

[oinkitt]

Hello all,

I wondered if anyone could tell me anything about the knife in the photos attached.

It seems to be of good quality, at least as good as the others I have.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

It's not a bowie knife. It's a Japanese made copy of the USMC fighting knife. There were a ton made from the 70s into the 90s. I had a similar one as a kid marked "Kiffe" that I picked up at a gun show. The vendor there had a couple dozen.

I doubt it holds any particular value, but mine was a decent knife. I'd say just put it to use and enjoy it.

 

[GIRLYmann]

this is a supposedly a circa-1968 gutmann advert...

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/Images_6/gutmann-c1968supp-p07-01.jpg
kiffe's story here...
http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/bayo_points_31.htm

 

[The Mastiff]

Thanks for digging up and posting that old advert. It brings back memories. Back in the 60's and 70's there was everything from good quality to horrible junk coming from Japan. Gutmann wasn't one that brought in the junk and I still see their old imports fairly regularly on Ebay.

 

[GIRLYmann]

ahh gutmann (established in '47 and
gone by '97) they were reputable
enough an outfit... or so i hear.
"...1957 – Kurt Gutmann of Gutmann Cutlery Company in New York becomes the U.S. distributor...."
https://pumaknifecompanyusa.com/companyhistory.aspx

 

[oinkitt]

Thank you to all who replied. I will put it in the drawer with all the others!!!

 

[eveled]

I just noticed the cool folding ruler. I always liked those.

 

[oinkitt]

I just noticed the cool folding ruler. I always liked those.

Like knives, I have quite a number of rules. I bought a coupe of ivory ones yesterday. I will post some more knives in the near future and I will include some other rules.