New Zealand Collection

RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made

RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made
RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made
RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made
RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made
RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made
RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made
RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made
RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made
RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made
RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made
RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made
RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made

RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made

Guaranteed 100% ORIGINAL and 100% GENUINE WW2 era manufactured "BOWIE KNIFE" based on the American Case V-44. Possibly cast-from an American-made original V-44 Knife? These iconic fighting knives were manufactured ONLY down here in Auckland, New Zealand during WW2. 600 of these knives were manufactured here in Auckland in 1943, having been ordered by Brigadier General Evans Carson. Evans Fordyce Carlson (26 February 1896 27 May 1947) was a decorated and retired United States Marine Corps general officer who was the legendary leader of "Carlson's Raiders" during World War II.

Many credit Carlson with developing the tactics and attitude that would later come to define America's special operations forces. He is renowned for the "Makin Island raid" in 1942, and his raiders' "Long Patrol" (aka Carlson's patrol) behind Japanese lines on Guadalcanal, in which 488 Japanese were killed. Carlson popularised the phrase " gung-ho ". Approx 200 were made as survival knives for our tiny Royal New Zealand Air Force. The RNZAF had about 200 aircraft during WW2.

By June 1942, the RNZAF had only eight operational squadrons six in New Zealand and two in Fiji. The only way to tell whether one of these MASSIVE Bowie Knives was made for either The Marine Raiders or the RNZAF , without their scabbard, is by their blade-length. This RNZAF example would be mush rarer than the Carlson's Raiders knives which would outnumber the RNZAF issue knives on a ratio of approx 3:1. Carlson Raider knives have been found with hilts painted either black, green, or in plain Alloy (Which oxidizes and SHEDS paint easily).

The likely SOURCE of the Alloy used in the massive Aluminium (Spelled & PRONOUNCED differently, here, than in USA) was damaged military aircraft (IE Duralium) as New Zealand had NO WAY to MAKE Aluminium before. The Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter. Any questions please MESSAGE ME. New Zealand customers NZPO Courier FREE........ Receipt will be issued on request.

The item "RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made" is in sale since Tuesday, January 5, 2021. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Knives, Swords & Blades\Daggers". The seller is "phillip_in_new_zealand" and is located in Auckland (aprox.

12,000 "clicks" from USA). This item can be shipped worldwide.

  • Country/Region of Manufacture: New Zealand
  • Blade Material: Carbon Steel
  • Dexterity: Ambidextrous
  • Original/Reproduction: Original
  • Type: Massive BOWIE Knife V-44 Configuration
  • Color: Alloy
  • Cutting Edge: Single
  • Handle Material: Aluminum
  • Tang: Encapsulated
  • Brand: Unbranded


RNZAF 1943 GUNG HO Bowie Knife as used by USMC CARLSONS RAIDERS New Zealand-Made