1193

EXTREMELY RARE 1st MODEL 1943 “HOWARD COLE”

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
EXTREMELY RARE 1st MODEL 1943 “HOWARD COLE”
9-POINT KNUCKLE KNIFE. This exact knife is described and pictured in Bill Walter’s “U.S. AND ALLIED MILITARY KNIVES WORLD WAR II” pages 30-32. The late M. Howard Cole is best known for his 5 books on World War II and other military knives. Even though Howard was turned down for military service due to medical issues, he still supported the war effort making combat knives in his garage. Steel for blades was obtained From Birmingham Spring, manufacturer of automotive leaf springs. Howard thought he made about 300 unsigned knuckle knives between 1942-1944. This earliest pattern, he thought he made about 50 and “9-knucks knife” has few survivors known. This example is the only one known with finger grooves cut in grip and it is in very fine survivor. CONDITION: fine overall, 8” double-edged blade is cleaned and highly polished w/ light pinprick pitting, 9-point guard is polished w/ copper colored patina. Grip slabs are sound, anchored by brass screws inset in lead escutcheons, characteristic of Cole’s work. Accompanying sheath is excellent. PROVENANCE: Collection of Roger Ballard. (02-14707/JS). $4,000-6,000.