USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife

The USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife was issued by the Marine Corps during World War II. It was a bolo type knife intended for clearing brush and for cutting wood for litters or shelter poles.

USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife in Boyt leather sheat
USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife in Boyt leather sheath. Photo: Courtesy of ebay seller marukainca.

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6 Jul 1942 Anne Frank's Jewish family goes into hiding in an attic above her father's office in an Amsterdam warehouse.
6 Jul 1942 Flying Tigers in Burma and China integrated into the US Army Air Forces as the China Air Task Force with Gen. Claire Chennault commanding the new unit.
6 Jul 1943 US and Japanese naval forces fight the Battle of Kula Gulf off Kolombangara, in the New Georgia Islands group of the Solomon Islands.
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USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife

USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife. Made by Briddell with Boyt leather sheath, back side
USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife. Made by Briddell with Boyt leather sheath, back side.
Photo: Courtesy of eBay seller marukainca.

The USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife had an overall length of 16 1/2 inches with a blade that was 11 1/4 x 3 inches. The spoon tip blade was supplied both parkerized or bright. The wooden handle had either three or four flush rivets, steel, iron or brass. The left face of the blade was stamped with "USMC" and the manufacturer identity. (Some genuine knives may not have the USMC marking or the manufacturer name.)

These manufacturers have been identified as makers of the USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife:

  • Briddell
  • Chatillion
  • Clyde Cutlery Co.
  • Fayette R. Plumb
  • Village Blacksmith

USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife Sheath / Scabbard

USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife hook assembly and markings

The USMC Hospital Corpsman Knife scabbard is stitched leather with a brass riveted throat and a brass grommet hole at the tip. The back of the scabbard has an M1910 pistol belt hook attached by a heavy riveted and stitched loop of leather. Just below the hook, the leather was stamped with three rows of letters (photo, left):

USMC
BOYT
44

Boyt was the only manufacturer of the scabbard, with dates from 1942 to 1945, with "44" most common.

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