Schrade Walden M2 Paratrooper Knife

Product Description: A superbly preserved example of postwar American military utility design, this Schrade Walden M2 Paratrooper Knife dates to the late 1940s or early 1950s and was produced by Schrade Walden, Ellenville, New York. Designed for airborne troops, the knife features a robust automatic opening mechanism and functional detailing consistent with U.S. military issue.

Measuring 4 1/4 inches closed and 7 3/8 inches open, the knife is fitted with steel liners, bolsters, a lanyard ring, and nickel silver button and safety. The clip-point blade retains 100% of its original factory finish and is crisply stamped SCHRADE WALDEN NY USA at the tang. The black jigged synthetic scales remain in flawless condition. Mechanically excellent, the blade deploys with a strong snap, locks up tightly, and the safety functions as intended. A standout example of its type, this Schrade Walden M2 Paratrooper Knife is offered in excellent++ condition,seldom encountered in this state of preservation.

Historical Description: The first official U.S. trench knife adopted for service issue was the U.S. M1917 trench knife. It was designed by Henry Disston & Sons and based off examples of trench knives that were in service with the French Army at that time. The M1917 featured a triangular stiletto blade, wooden grip, metal knuckle guard, and a rounded pommel. The M1917 proved unsatisfactory in service, and a slightly improved version, the M1918, was adopted within months. Despite this, the M1918 is almost identical to the M1917, differing primarily in the construction and appearance of the knuckle guard. Usable only as stabbing weapons, the M1917 and M1918 frequently suffered broken blades. Their limited utility and general unpopularity caused the AEF to empanel a testing board in 1918, to test various trench knives and select a replacement.

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