Description

This AUSTRALIAN ARMY UTILITY KNIFE by H. Barker Cutlery Pty Ltd of Melbourne is quite rare but in this condition is exceptional. Harold Barker served his apprenticeship in Sheffield before immigrating to Australia in 1928. The Baker Cutlery factory was engaged by the Commonwealth in 1943 to produce blade-ware for the war effort. On the 15th June 1944 H Barker Cutlery P/L Vic was contracted to produce utility knives having previously produced cooks knives, cleavers and slashers et cetera for the army.

This utility knife is in exceptional condition along with the scabbard that has all the original rivets and no damage. The grip has the Department of Defence  broad arrow over “S” as does the rear of the scabbard. However, this particular piece was made for the U.S. Government and is marked as such with US preceding the the makers mark on the blade. This is partially obscured by a scuff to the blade in that area. (Reference KMS page 146 for the general story and COLE book III page 178 plate 3).