This is a beautiful example of a very scarce WWII, USMC/Marine Corp Raider stiletto knife. These were originally developed in early 1942 and were patterned after the British Fairbarn-Sykes dagger as developed for the British Para's and SOE forces. These were primarily issued to the 1st and 2nd Marine Raider Battalions, but subsequently found their way into other Marine units through the war, as many of the Marines found them to be too light in weight. They were all made by the Camillus Cutlery Company and featured and a 7 1/4 inch long double edge blade with a spear point. Just below the cross-guard the blade is marked in five lines: "CAMILLUS/CUTLERY/CO./CAMILLUS/N.Y." with the center section of the blade having an etched in flowing ribbon/panel that is marked in the center "U.S.M.C.". The blade has a one-piece cast on aluminum/pot metal handle with oval cross-guard that has the same shape as the Fairbarn-Sykes stiletto, but features a checkered pattern around the handle. It is complete with an original Type 1 brown leather sheath that is very similar to the M6 sheath, however it is fitted with metal reinforcing staples at the throat with the small metal plate on the lower portion. .

Excellent overall with a nice original untouched polish present on the blade with the clear etched USMC logo on the center section of the blade. The handle and cross-guard are both excellent which is amazing as they are extremely fragile. The sheath is also excellent showing minor scratches with nice tight stitching and metal rivets overall. A very nice and very desirable knife in excellent condition.