- Joined
- Feb 23, 2020
- Messages
- 4
I went to an estate sale yesterday; the person had been a surgeon and was a full Navy Captain. Among a lot of other stuff including uniforms were several sets of Navy-marked woodland camo BDUs with his name tape. Hanging on a peg was a set of web gear with a Bianchi UM84 holster, canteens, fanny pack, etc. and what looked like a field knife taped handle-down to one of the suspenders.
The knife caught my eye because I have a full collection of the M9 from Phrobis to Tri Technologies and I recognized the Phrobis scabbard shape. But it wasn't an M9; it was too short. I pulled the knife out to check the blade markings but found there were none. At first I thought it might be some kind of knock-off but such would have some kind of markings, and the scabbard was clearly marked Phrobis.
So I bought the rig and brought it home. As best as I can tell from the interwebs, this might well be one of the Phrobis Combat Utility Knives that were made for and/or issued to the SEALs back during Desert Storm. It looks like the second variation.
As far as corroboration, the gentleman was serving in the Navy during Desert Storm. He was an emergency surgeon and retired as a Captain (O-6). He was very into martial arts from Aikido to swords and had apparently written at least one book on a specific type of sword use. And when I was searching his name I came across a SEAL with the same last name who was also involved in Desert Storm. Speculation, but maybe there was some connection there?
I'd be interested in finding out if this is the real deal.
I have pictures but it looks like this forum doesn't support uploading and I don't have a hosting site. I'd be happy to post pictures if anybody can tell me how to do so.
The knife caught my eye because I have a full collection of the M9 from Phrobis to Tri Technologies and I recognized the Phrobis scabbard shape. But it wasn't an M9; it was too short. I pulled the knife out to check the blade markings but found there were none. At first I thought it might be some kind of knock-off but such would have some kind of markings, and the scabbard was clearly marked Phrobis.
So I bought the rig and brought it home. As best as I can tell from the interwebs, this might well be one of the Phrobis Combat Utility Knives that were made for and/or issued to the SEALs back during Desert Storm. It looks like the second variation.
As far as corroboration, the gentleman was serving in the Navy during Desert Storm. He was an emergency surgeon and retired as a Captain (O-6). He was very into martial arts from Aikido to swords and had apparently written at least one book on a specific type of sword use. And when I was searching his name I came across a SEAL with the same last name who was also involved in Desert Storm. Speculation, but maybe there was some connection there?
I'd be interested in finding out if this is the real deal.
I have pictures but it looks like this forum doesn't support uploading and I don't have a hosting site. I'd be happy to post pictures if anybody can tell me how to do so.
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