A very impressive and increasingly scarce WWII U.S. Marine Corps bolo / machete, produced by BRIDDELL, complete with its original and well-made U.S. Marine Corps leather scabbard. This is a powerful, weighty utility blade with excellent presence, clearly designed for hard service use rather than refinement.

The overall condition is excellent, particularly the blade and grips, and the scabbard remains solid, and untouched, displaying very minor service wear and age.

Blade

The heavy, rounded bolo-style blade is in excellent condition, retaining a clean surface with no damage or abuse. The edge appears to show a factory or arsenal sharpen rather than later field reworking, and the blade remains crisp and impressive in hand.

Correctly marked U.S.M.C. / BRIDDELL to the blade, the stamp is clear and well-struck. The blade stock is thick and substantial, giving the piece a very purposeful and robust feel, exactly as expected for this pattern.

Hilt & Grips

The light-coloured wooden grip scales are in superb condition, showing no cracking or splitting and retaining a very attractive original tone. The grips are secured by four flush-headed rivets through a full tang construction, all tight and undisturbed.

The grip fits the hand extremely well and contributes to the overall solid, confidence-inspiring feel of the piece.

Scabbard

The original heavy-duty leather scabbard is a highlight of this example. Constructed from multiple layered leather sections, it is extremely well made and remains firm and structurally sound. All stitching is intact, with no loose seams or repairs noted.

The scabbard retains a rich, aged brown tone and shows honest service wear throughout. Areas of untouched verdigris remain around the rivets, consistent with long-term storage and original brass fittings. Period reinforcing staples are present and remain undisturbed.

A riveted brass throat mount is fitted at the top, and the blade fits the scabbard snugly and securely.

The rear belt hanger is stamped U.S.M.C. 1944, with a partially visible maker marking consistent with BOYT, a known wartime U.S. Marine Corps leather contractor.

Overall

A very strong, original example of a WWII U.S. Marine Corps bolo / machete, retaining excellent blade condition, outstanding grips, and a robust, untouched leather scabbard. This is a heavy, impressive piece with real presence and character, far better than the average survivor.

Historical Note

Bolo-type blades were issued by the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII primarily as utility tools, particularly in the Pacific Theatre, where clearing vegetation, preparing positions, and general field work were daily requirements. While not designed as fighting knives, their size and weight made them effective tools in a wide range of wartime conditions.

Examples marked by BRIDDELL are well-documented Marine Corps contracts, and original scabbards dated 1944 reflect late-war production and continued demand for durable field equipment.

All items are securely packed for safe transit.