#Sailing knife with marlin spike mod#

After very slight modifications it was accepted as a NATO standard and the knife became known as the Knife, Clasp, New Pattern VN21307. In reality, the knife became standard issue in 1952 and was known as the VN47408 Clasp knife. (Piece, in fact, refers to the number of blades/implements with the third piece being a folding marlin spike). Today, the great-great grandson of the 6353/1905 pattern knife is known as the NATO Patterns one, two or three piece clasp knives.

#Sailing knife with marlin spike mod#

The pattern is still manufactured today by various Sheffield cutlers and while not standard issue remains a popular after market knife among civilians, sailors, and soldiers alike.Ī 1951 late Pattern MoD three piece clasp knife, approximately 4 inches closed. While the 317 pattern was determined obsolete in 1952, the pattern continued to be made by Commonwelath nations until at least the 1970s for service use. As mentioned the knife was used by all branches of the British Military. After the WWII, BMP knives were made almost exclusively with sheepfoot blades. Sheepfoot blades are rare on pre World War II models but become common place during the war. Versions such as this seemed to have been popular in post war Germany and Eastern Europe. Civilian versions were made that lacked the screwdriver and can opener. The same pattern was also adopted by Belgium, Italy, and other European contires. The pattern remained in active use with the British military until 1952 when stainless steel knives became standard issue. Several were also made with no distinguishing marks at all and dropped into occupied Europe for use by underground forces. Those marked with a WD or an Arrow head were made to fulfill a Military contract, however thousands were made for use by the Military and bear no such mark. Different companies often applied their own pattern number to the knife and as the companies were all tooled differently the length and other minor details vary slightly from company to company. The pattern was approved for service by the UK Ministry of Defense in time for WWII and was pressed into service with numerous UK cutlery companies making the knives. It also features a flat head screwdrivever integrated into the head of the knife. It consists of a frame with a sheepfoot blade, split blade can opener and Marlin spike. This knife is known as the Pattern 317 and was accepted by the British Admiralty perhaps as early as 1933 but more likely in 1939. New pattern knives developed in the the 1930s were shorter, typically measuring around 4 inches in length, depending on the manufacturer, with 3 3/4 inches being the norm. While the big blade was handy it was also cumbersome and heavy, especially for a pocket knife. The 6353 pattern knife was 4 7/8 in long, folded making it a very large framed knife. Despite American Neutrality, U.S Companies manufactured material for the Triple Entente and provided these goods via Canadian subsidiaries or secret shipments to England. in Nova Scotia as lates as 1952.Ī pre WWI Pattern 6353 /1905 clasp knife, approximately 4 7/8 inches closed.Ī 6353 Pattern knife made by Camillus (New York) in 1915. The last of these sturdy knives were made under contract by Metal Stampings Ltd. Canada was making slab sided versions of this knife as early as World War I. This folding knife was just shy of five inches long, making it a heavy pocket filler. The 6353/1905 pattern evolved ever so slighty over time but what did not change was the enormous frame. The original specification as laid down in 1913 required the scales made from horn but with the outbreak of World War I, numerous other materials were used and still later, synthtics were used. The knife was made for all branches of the British and Commonwealth Military services.

The original pattern had a spear point blade, punch (tin opener) and marlin spike. I use the term to British Military Pattern (BMP) refer to knives derived from the British pattern 6353/1905 clasp knife.