Joseph Rodgers Pilot's Knife

[Boedkerman]

I recently inherited an RAF Pilot's knife from my Father. It is marked "Joseph Rodgers, Patent Pending and has the 2 marks from Joseph Rodgers (see photos), however; there are no serial numbers on the knife and when I search on internet I am unable to find the same.
Look closely at the point of the blade and it is clearly a point and the last 25mm has been thickened slightly.
I have come across similar JR knives but they have a slightly rounded end and certainly not a point as this one has.
In addition it is in a metal scabbard that is riveted into a leather "holder" that has stitching holes around the edge.
Is anyone able to shed some light as to what model and when this was produced?
Many thanks
Boedkerman

 

[Ruari]

It would seem to be an early Mk. III knife, which came with a sharp point. This was later changed to a rounded point.
https://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Aircrew_Knives

 

[Arathol]

Is anyone able to shed some light as to what model and when this was produced?

Boedkerman

No, but I bet if you posted pictures using a format that was compatible with the forum software someone could.....

[img]https://your picture url here[/img]

Translation- links not working, google pics don't work well, use a free hosting site like Imgur for pictures that actually work.

 

[E.D.C.]

I recently inherited an RAF Pilot's knife from my Father. It is marked "Joseph Rodgers, Patent Pending and has the 2 marks from Joseph Rodgers (see photos), however; there are no serial numbers on the knife and when I search on internet I am unable to find the same.
Look closely at the point of the blade and it is clearly a point and the last 25mm has been thickened slightly.
I have come across similar JR knives but they have a slightly rounded end and certainly not a point as this one has.
In addition it is in a metal scabbard that is riveted into a leather "holder" that has stitching holes around the edge.
Is anyone able to shed some light as to what model and when this was produced?
Many thanks
Boedkerman

This is a really cool piece. Any info on it's intended use?

 

[Boedkerman]

This is a really cool piece. Any info on it's intended use?

It was originally placed upside down on the outside of the thigh on his flying suit. The idea was that in a crash the user would grip the handle, release the grips and strike up with the blade thereby cutting any cables, wires etc. Same for cutting of parachute lines if one had bailed out.
I know he used either this or another on one occasion when the tail on his Westland Whirlwind broke coming in to land and they had a “hard” landing. He had to dive out of the door/window......back problems for many years.

 

[E.D.C.]

It was originally placed upside down on the outside of the thigh on his flying suit. The idea was that in a crash the user would grip the handle, release the grips and strike up with the blade thereby cutting any cables, wires etc. Same for cutting of parachute lines if one had bailed out.
I know he used either this or another on one occasion when the tail on his Westland Whirlwind broke coming in to land and they had a “hard” landing. He had to dive out of the door/window......back problems for many years.

Hell of a cool story. Thanks for the info!