not2sharp
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 1999
- Messages
- 20,483
I recently came across an interesting old knife at a local gun show. Its a Spanish Army issued fixed blade bolo knife with a 5" blued steel blade, integral guard, checkered wood grip panels, and a steel pommel. Overall length is about 9.5". Markings on the blade indicate manufacture at the Fabrica National de Toledo on one side, and a serial number consisting of a letter and 3 numbers (e.g. A###) on the other.
Leroy Thompson included a photo of this knife in his SURVIVAL FIGHTING KNIVES (Paladin Press,1986,pg.3). His photo caption reads "This Spanish fighting/Utility knife is used by Spanish special operations troops." Unfortunately, he provides no further information on this knife.
I haven't been able to find further published information on this knife. After interviewing several local dealers specializing in collectable military knives I have come to belive that these knives were issued in limited numbers during the 1950s, and are uncommon to rare on the US market today.
The knife has a nice lively feel to it and seems like it would have been a very useful camp/field tool.
I am interested in identifying which units the knife was actually issued to, the quantities produced (my currrent guess is up to 20,000 copies), and the period during which they were used.
I like to thank you in advance for your comments.
Leroy Thompson included a photo of this knife in his SURVIVAL FIGHTING KNIVES (Paladin Press,1986,pg.3). His photo caption reads "This Spanish fighting/Utility knife is used by Spanish special operations troops." Unfortunately, he provides no further information on this knife.
I haven't been able to find further published information on this knife. After interviewing several local dealers specializing in collectable military knives I have come to belive that these knives were issued in limited numbers during the 1950s, and are uncommon to rare on the US market today.
The knife has a nice lively feel to it and seems like it would have been a very useful camp/field tool.
I am interested in identifying which units the knife was actually issued to, the quantities produced (my currrent guess is up to 20,000 copies), and the period during which they were used.
I like to thank you in advance for your comments.