U.S. WW2 CASE M-3 Fighting Knife- rare Straight Guard, Smooth Handle variation. The straight guard CASE M-3 was not an issued item. It was manufactured by CASE and was available to U.S. Soldiers, Marines and Sailors at the Military Post Exchange (P.X.). The guard is of heavier gauge steel (5/32”) than the bent guard variation (1/8”), and is marked “CASE” on the upper portion. The leather washer handle is smooth, with no grooves cut into the leather. The pommel has a machine staked tang. This example came from an auction of the CASE Company collection and is near mint, never used. The dark black parkerized finish has a nice rough texture with nearly 100% remaining. The blade retains it’s original “line of white” factory sharpened edge. This CASE Straight Guard M-3 comes with it’s original leather scabbard, which is un-used, having a few storage and handling marks as shown. The printed info shown is from Cole’s “U.S. Military Knives, Book III”. CASE made the most variations and finishes of all the M-3 makers. Just collecting all the CASE variations would be a large M-3 collection. The CASE Straight Guard/Smooth Handle M-3 is rare, and to have it in this outstanding condition would make it tough to upgrade in an advanced collection. Price: $925.00 (ref. A5-3)