USN Standard Diver’s Knife – Vince (#36)

Description

USN Standard Diver’s Knife – Vince, Vince Forge Company, Easton, PA.

Rare WWII vintage Vince USN Standard Diver’s Knife manufactured by Vince Forge Company, Easton, PA.  Vince was a low volume producer of Mark V knives circa 1930s and 1940s, which makes them scarce and highly prized by collectors.

Of the various Mark V knife manufacturers, Vince knives had a few distinct features making them unique.  The first and most obvious is the brass bail, or loop, fitted to a swivel that rotates around the circumference of the pommel.  The second are the number and size of serrated teeth on the blades top edge, which have 13 teeth per inch rather than the 12 teeth per inch specified in the Navy design.  The last is the thicker girth (noticeable to the touch) of the brass sheath which has a 3/16” thicker diameter.  These design changes were not part of the US Navy specifications; however with WWII raging, these knives were accepted and put into use.

The overall knife screwed into the sheath is ~14 1/4” long (the additional 3/4” length is due to the brass loop), with an 8 1/2” long brass sheath.  The knife is ~13 1/2” and the blade is ~6 1/2 long.  The blade is clean from rust but pitted.  The wood handle is nicely stained a light wood color showing the grain and has no cracks.  The brass sheath, bolster, and pommel have minor visible dings.  The brass loop and washer were missing when purchased so they were replaced by A. Schrader’s Son.  The brass sheath, bolster, and pommel have a nice patina and appear to have been varnished.  The knife includes an interesting 32″ leather strap that includes stitching and brass rivets, the leather could use refreshing.

Overall, this rare Vince Mark V knife is in great condition appropriate for its age and use, please see photos.  This hard to find Vince USN dive knife will make a fine addition to any collection, and will look even better next to a Mark V helmet.