This is a well made and expensive bolo knife used by military medical corps and very likely engineers. It was used for a variety of purposes, but mostly for clearing brush to pitch tents in the field (some say for amputation in military field hospitals, but probably not). It was replaced by the US Model 1909 "Bolo" or "Smatchet" Knife

The grips are wood, held in place by two flush-mount brass rivets. The crossguard is also of brass, forming reversed quillons. The 12" blades are steel and usually marked with the US Ordnance Bomb (aka "flaming onion"), US, the date, and a serial number.

The scabbards are of thick brown leather with brass throat. The hanger is of the swivel-loop type - as on the Krag bayonets - and is blued steel.

If you need further information concerning markings or blades, please post your questions to me via E-mail.