Today we'll be taking a look at an often overlooked piece of WW2 equipment. The early war, RH PAL 36, US military fighting knife. This is the "original" Ka-Bar fighting knife that all the other US fighting knives evolved from (WW2 - Present Day).
When war broke out between the US and Japan, in December of 1941, the US military was woefully under supplied and the equipment they were using, was mostly WW1 vintage gear. The only official, US military fighting knife was the old "trench knife", the Mark I Trench Knife. This was the old "brass knuckle", short bladed, dirk that was issued to US soldiers in the Trenches of France back in WW1. The Mark I was a great trench fighting knife, but not a good, survival / fighting knife.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_I_trench_knife
With the US calling up thousands of new soldiers and sailors, the need to immediately equip them presented more than a slight problem. There wasn't enough of the old vintage gear available, and the gear that was available was out dated. So, the US turned to readily available, "over-the-counter", gear to supplement official GI Issue until a new manufacturing and supply system could be established.
Enter the RH PAL 36 fighting knife, made by the PAL Blade and Tool Company.
The RH PAL 36 was a civilian made knife that was manufactured by Remington, and then by the PAL company, and sold extensively on US Military Bases to soldiers and sailors. It was a VERY popular, private-purchase sheath-knife for soldiers at the time war broke out in 1941. The US Military immediately scooped all of the available knives from the base exchanges, and immediately put out an order for as many as PAL could mass produce. PAL was already tooled up and manufacturing, and the US military needed them NOW. It was a perfect match!
Originally the blade and overall design of this knife, was designed by the Remington Cutlery Company. It was sold by Remington as the Model 36. After PAL bought out the Remington Cutlery Company in January of 1941, before the outbreak of war with Japan on December 7, PAL continued production of the old Remington Model 36, but renamed it the RH-36. RH stood for Remington Hunter, and the 36 was the old Remington model number. From what I understand, PAL was up and producing the RH PAL 36 knife under their own name, sometime in March of 1941. Production of the knife continued for the "War Years", 1941-1945, and then ceased some time after the war, probably in the first few post-war years. Remaining old-stock and "parts knives" were sold by PAL up to about 1950, in very limited numbers.
Since these old RH PAL 36 knives were only produced during WW2, it makes it quite easy to identify them as a true "war era knife".
These knives were civilian knives that were issued and then ordered by the US Military, and as such, they were never marked with US or with a US model number. They remained a "hunting styled knife", just as they were before the war.
The first batches of these knives were issued to the US Marines that were headed to the South Pacific to fight the Japanese. A large portion were also issued to the US Naval aviators that were headed there as well. In many of the early (and quite a number of later) photographs from the South Pacific Theater of Operations, you will see these RH PAL 36 knives on the belts of marines, and naval pilots. A number of these knives found their way into the European Theater, and were also carried by WW2 veteran soldiers who went on to serve in the Korean War as well. These knives really got around!
After the war really got going, and the US started to refine their equipment specifications, official orders were put out for the "official versions" of the old PAL knives, with some slight changes. These later knives were known by various military model numbers, such as, the USN Mark I, Mark II, and the now famous USMC "Ka-Bar".
There were two blade finishes that were found on the old PAL knives. The first was a bright finish, and later in the war, a parkerized finish. My particular knife may have the faint remnants of parkerization on the blade, or maybe it's just a very aged patina on the original bright blade. It is hard to tell.
I spotted my knife in the display case of a local "thrift store". It was being sold as an old hunting knife, with a price to match! That is one of the wonderful things about these old PAL knives, they don't look "military"! Since this knife found its way to me via a thrift store, I will never know the true history of it, but you can be sure that this knife was a well loved and long carried knife by someone out there!
The knife itself is in very good condition overall. The blade has lost a bit of its original parkerized finish, and there are some signs of edge grinding, but all in all, it's weathered and complete.
The pommel is rough cast zinc or aluminum. Later knives can be found with wood pommels when metals were being diverted for war production.
The sheath is sewn and riveted, with the punched hole in the tip for the classic "leg tie". The sheath on my knife has been customized and hand tooled by the previous owner. The work is beautiful and well done. It was pretty common for the soldiers and sailors to customize the leather sheaths keeping up the long tradition of American Individualism........we were a "Citizen's Army" after all!
The rivets on my sheath are well worn on the back side, and the leather has been polished smooth and glassy. This indicates this knife was carried extensively, polishing smooth against a soldier or sailors BDU's or Dungarees (or so I can imagine).
The grip is composed of leather discs and it is worn, but in great shape.
This knife is a wonderful, early war, USMC or US Navy style knife that most likely saw service somewhere in the South Pacific, or in the cockpit of a Naval Fighter Plane. It's a true piece of classic WW2 equipment!
So next time you are checking out the local thrift stores and yard sales, keep your eyes peeled for one of these classics. They are out there just waiting to be re-discovered! But until then, you can check out the album of my classic RH PAL 36 knife. Enjoy.
I just found my grandfathers RH-36 today!! He was a Radioman/RearGunner in a SB2C Helldiver, Squadron VB-20, in the Pacific. Found this page while doing research on it.
ReplyDeleteMy father passed away in 96 and I am finally going thru garage drawers and found one myself!!! It is in great condition!
ReplyDeleteI've know of my fathers RH36 my whole life. He is still with us at 98. I recently rediscovered it in a tool drawer. He flew 28 combat missions in B-17
DeleteI just found my great grandfather's RH-36. I was wondering if you have any tips on upkeep and how it was originally sharpened because it looks like someone tried to sharpen it, but only sharpened it on one side.
ReplyDeleteIf you find one of these relics, RH PAL - 36, give the handle some well needed leather oil. Additional leather treatments are in order. A friend gave his Father's RH PA-36. My Dad had one; however, some one stole it ! Also oil the blade and wipe it off. You'll find some rust on th blade's surface.
ReplyDeleteQuestions Please?
DeleteI have my Dad's RH-36. He was a Ninth Air Force aircraft armorer in the European Theater (Italy, France, Germany). Questions;
1. Most likely was he was issued it, picked it up in Theater, or maybe got it post war?
2. Any clue if a model 36 is considered a Mk 1 or a Mk 2?
Thank you.
I just happened to be in a small ditch we made recently to catch more water for our ponds. I was digging out some clay and noticed a knife right beside my shovel in the ditch. It wasnt buried or really covered in anything. At first I thought oh yeah I found a knife. I couldnt wait to tell my bf and possibly brag a bit. Then i got thinking and decided it was most likely my bf step dads knife. He has many knives and some similar to this one. I hardly even looked at it cause I assumed it was Joe's. I decided then to walk it over to the house to return Joe his knife. My bf and Joe wete in the garage talking and I interuppted and said I think I found your knife Joe. They both came to me and Joe grabbed it from my hand and instantly said thats not my knife. I said oh I thought it was your. I found it in the ditch by the grapevines. They both were interested and excited. The knife was pretty rusty and leather was very worn. We had no idea what knife it was. My bf is a history kinda guy. He told me to research ww2 military issued knives. Needless to say I was super excited to find out it was in fact a rh PAL-36. Its not in the best condition I guess. But we can make out the 36 for sure. I was never into history much during school but this had me as excited as a young kid on Christmas eve. Anyways, i just thought some of you would enjoy my story and how I found this awesome piece of history.
ReplyDeleteMy dad started to go camping with the family during the 1950's when using surplus military equipment was the way to go. I found his rh pal-36 amongst the smaller essentials and kept it along with everything else. It's in pretty good shape and now it is a keeper to pass along to my son when he's old enough .
ReplyDeleteMy father, a WWII and Korean war Veteren and a Marine fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater, had one of these that I found hoing through his tings after he passed. Thank you gor the enlightening article to give me more cotext around my father's life in the wars. He never talked about it. May God bless you and the USA.
ReplyDeleteI assume the blade is Carbon-Steel ???
ReplyDeleteAm I ciporrect .... ???
Jared Reeves
Ruston, La.
My Father in Law sold the cottage up north - I remember the "knife" he found in the woods hunting years ago - stuck in a tree and the sheath at the base. It looked real used and he kept iut in the basket of the 4 wheeler. I got it from him as we were cleaning out the pole bard. I'm just now cleaning it and decided to check the number PH PAL 36 and see its a WW II Knife! I collect such things from WWII so its cool I have it. It is very sharp and he's gonna be surprised when i tell him what it is! Plus I've always loved Remington!
ReplyDeleteThe RH-36 PAL knives were generally private purchase, however, I understand quite a number of them were scooped up and issued out by the Army. The majority, however, would have been purchased privately and then carried by individual soldiers. They are not considered Mk 1, or Mk 2, knives. They are a separate class of their own. The RH-36 PAL knives filled the need for a general service combat knife before the US designed and issued an official knife. The knives were available on bases, stateside, and from sporting stores until a few years after the war.
ReplyDeleteI hope that answers your questions.
Found a knife, under a house while replumbing the sewer pipes...sorta pitted but all there...after some naval jelly, RH PAL 36 appeared. I love leather washer handled blades, and thought one maybe missing or rotted away...I soaked it in leather conditioner for at least a week totally submerged...it healed itself. It's way cool to have yet another missing piece of the past to add to a growing collection and fascination. Thanks for your time and the history lesson..I've already memorized it, and will pass it along...D.
ReplyDeleteI just found one of these in the closet of my in-laws house. My father in-law was in WWII in the navy. Its quite a amazing find. Need to find an original sheath for it.
ReplyDeleteMy wife's grandfather bought one home from Europe. She is giving it to our young son. It has the initials TCMI on the leather Sheth. Not sure what that stands for.
ReplyDelete2 years ago, one of my best friend's aunt and uncle died well into their 90s. She was their beneficiary and had to help the executor of the estate sell off the stuff. I was their to help. After the crowds went away, one of the knives left over with an old beat up sheath remained. She gave it to me for helping her. I was cleaning it and following up with the RH - 36 made in the USA with the PAL logo in between the RH and the 36. It's one of the 7" blades after the first ones used in WW2 were 5 1/2" blades. I'd like to put a sharp edge to it since I carry on my 78 acres. I was thrilled to find its history and that it's about 80 years old now. What a treasure it is. My dad probably had one as well but his lady friend gave away/sold all his tools to someone she knew. Boy, my brother was steamed as he really wanted some of those tools that had belonged to our grandfather who came over from Sweden. Dad was a Navy CB in the Pacific and my father-in-law was posted on a Naval ship in Australia so that's another possibility. Ain't history great.
ReplyDeletewhen I was 15, I was cutting through a lima bean field in huntington beach (BEFORE all the main avenues were paved in the early '70s). happend to find one half burried in the dirt, and I took it home after half-heartedly trying to find the owner. wasn't until I myself was in the military and had it in my go bag, that one of the guys in my team recognized it for wat it was (his grandfather had given him his own knife).
ReplyDeletedecades have passed, and I still have it. I am thinking some day I will display it with my own issue combat knife, a gurkha combat knife, ka-bar, and others I have picked up over the years. reality is, it will most likely be sold by a grandchild on eBay after I am in the ground. *SIGH*
so I recently found one of these it's amazing.. does anyone know the cash value of one of these?
ReplyDeleteAbout 10 to 30 bucks
Delete......actually, these often go for about $50.00 in "OK", but rough condition, and around $65.00 or higher in good condition. Original sheath's add to the value. This is in US dollars, and based on eBay sales. Just an FYI. If you can find one for $10 - $30, you have stumbled onto a great deal.
DeleteI have a usmc on one side the other side just says pal. The handlers like plexiglass blue and clear and a little red.whats it worthwhile
ReplyDelete