South Pacific, Philippines, World War II era, 1944 CE. This is a fascinating piece of military history made by an American marine stationed on Leyte in the Philippines, the site of a major and strategic WWII naval battle. The sheath is comprised of two wooden panels lashed together with strips of braided rattan. An integral double loop handle protrudes from one side. The sheath is decorated with engraved foliate motifs and dates with "LANDING OCT. 28 1944 SHELLING OCT 18 / LAZADA BROS. OF LEYTE." The iron blade is a curved machete shape with a sharp and intimidating cutting edge. The handle is wood with an anthropomorphic face as the pommel. The words "PHILIPPINES" and "CRIPPEN" are engraved, or relief carved on each side. Crippen may have been the name of the owner of this memento. Size in sheath: 20.5" L x 3.25" W (52.1 cm x 8.3 cm); blade: 14.25" L x 2.375" W (36.2 cm x 6 cm)

Provenance: ex-Antique Galleria, Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA, acquired in 2021

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#165048

Oxidation and patina to blade. Nicks to sharpened edge but is still quite sharp. Nice patina to wood and intact. Stable pressure fissure to handle. Loss to rattan cord around upper opening of sheath, otherwise intact and very good.