For Sale: Original WWII U.S. Marine Raider Stiletto by Camillus
The Marine Raider Stiletto is one of the rarest and most sought after of all the US combat knives from World War II. The Raider Stiletto has the distinction of being the first US designed fighting knife to be put into production after the United States entered the war. Lt. Colonel Clifford H. Shuey designed the knife in 1941. The Raider Stiletto, like the Fairbairn-Sykes knife, was a purpose made killing weapon with little value as a utilitarian knife or tool.
In early 1942 a contract for 5,000 of the Raider Stilettos was let to the Camillus Cutlery Company of New York. The Raider Battalions themselves were not officially designated until February of 1942. Camillus would receive an additional contract for 9,370 knives, bringing the total production of these rather scarce knives to only 14,370.
The initial production knives reached the Marine supply depots (and Raider Battalions in training) in the summer of that same year. It was probably the fall of 1942 before any of the stilettos were issued to the Raiders who were already engaged in the Pacific. The Raiders were based on the famous British Commandos serving in China and were intended to conduct lighting-fast behind the lines, hit and run amphibious actions against the Japanese. During WWII the Raiders were instrumental in delivering stunning blows to the Japanese forces and fought gallantly in nearly every major Pacific landing operation from the Battle of Midway through Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands Campaign, New Georgia and Bougainville. The four official Raider battalions were disbanded in January of 1944 and the two battalions in the process of being formed were reorganized into other standing Marine regiments. During their brief existence, a total of 7,710 Marines and 368 sailors served as Raiders.
The overall condition is obviously not great. The cast handle is in unusually good condition with non significant cracking that is often seen. Non of the original etchings are visible on the blade. Just let me know if additional specific pictures are desired.
Price: $995 obo
The Marine Raider Stiletto is one of the rarest and most sought after of all the US combat knives from World War II. The Raider Stiletto has the distinction of being the first US designed fighting knife to be put into production after the United States entered the war. Lt. Colonel Clifford H. Shuey designed the knife in 1941. The Raider Stiletto, like the Fairbairn-Sykes knife, was a purpose made killing weapon with little value as a utilitarian knife or tool.
In early 1942 a contract for 5,000 of the Raider Stilettos was let to the Camillus Cutlery Company of New York. The Raider Battalions themselves were not officially designated until February of 1942. Camillus would receive an additional contract for 9,370 knives, bringing the total production of these rather scarce knives to only 14,370.
The initial production knives reached the Marine supply depots (and Raider Battalions in training) in the summer of that same year. It was probably the fall of 1942 before any of the stilettos were issued to the Raiders who were already engaged in the Pacific. The Raiders were based on the famous British Commandos serving in China and were intended to conduct lighting-fast behind the lines, hit and run amphibious actions against the Japanese. During WWII the Raiders were instrumental in delivering stunning blows to the Japanese forces and fought gallantly in nearly every major Pacific landing operation from the Battle of Midway through Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands Campaign, New Georgia and Bougainville. The four official Raider battalions were disbanded in January of 1944 and the two battalions in the process of being formed were reorganized into other standing Marine regiments. During their brief existence, a total of 7,710 Marines and 368 sailors served as Raiders.
The overall condition is obviously not great. The cast handle is in unusually good condition with non significant cracking that is often seen. Non of the original etchings are visible on the blade. Just let me know if additional specific pictures are desired.
Price: $995 obo
