US WW2 CASE Blade-Dated M-3 Fighting/Trench Knife, with MILSCO M-6 Scabbard. The earliest production knives were blade dated, and were issued with M-6 leather scabbards. This is an early blued finish M-3 made by CASE. The blade is marked “US M-3 CASE 1943” (currently filled with white wax). It has an eight-grooved stacked leather handle in crisp/excellent condition. The tang is rather coursely peened, and a “small” flaming bomb acceptance mark located next to the tang, both features that are typical of many CASE M-3’s. The bright blue finish is a very early production variation. As production continued the finish was changed to parkarized one for durability in field conditions. The reverse of the knife blade has a mottled finish due to improper collector storeage on a cloth. This side still retains 60-70% of the bright blue finish, with the balance showing slight pitting spider-marks evenly distributed on that side. Manufacturing machining marks are evident on the blade overall, with the original “line of white” factory sharpened edge. The guard and the butt are also blued and in near mint condition. The scabbard is a MILSCO M-6, marked on the throat; “US M-6, MILSCO, 1943”. It is nearly mint, with very light guard and pommel marks. The lanyard leather leg tie is braided. CASE made the most variations of the M-3 TRENCH Knife of all the nine manufacturers, and even collecting just CASE variations would be a great collection. This knife has never been in an M-8 scabbard, and really looks like it was not issued or used. Even with the blade conditions noted, this is a rare example of a blued CASE M-3 blade dated FIGHTING/TRENCH Knife. It is in a condition that will be difficult to improve on in an advanced collection. Price: $2,750.00 (ref. A-211)