WW2 British Military Machete by S & J Kitchin Ltd dated 1945 with Leather Scabbard dated 1944

Here on offer is an unusual late war version of an original WW2 British military machete by S & J Kitchin Ltd that is dated 1945.

It comes with a thick brown leather scabbard that is dated 1944 and also stamped with 83.

The two black composite grip slabs are in good solid condition with a couple of cracks in the slabs near the top. What is unusual about this example is the fact it has five large STEEL rivets attaching the slabs to the tang, instead of the usual copper rivets?
The grip may have been painted at some time in its life as there are a few flecks of brown paint remaining near the top section.

There is a hole at the top of the grip, so that a lanyard or rope strap can be fitted.

One of the slabs has the number 6, with a WD arrow mark, stamped into it.

The 14.75” heavy steel blade is also in great condition and still retains a good cutting edge.

It now has a polished finish with a lot of pitting marks and age staining to the finish.

On one side it is stamped with the maker’s stamp, being S & J KITCHIN Ltd, SHEFFIELD along with the date 1945 and the WD arrow mark.

S & J Kitchin operated in Sheffield from the mid 19th century. The 'S' is Samuel (1821-1866), and the 'J' is John (1839-1894), they were the sons of John and Hannah Kitchin. After moving to Sheffield from Derbyshire, Samuel worked as a hardware merchant, clerk, grocer, and razor manufacturer, and later Bowie Knife maker and table knife manufacturer, operating from Argyle Works. He was only 45 when he died, leaving a modest sum of under £3,000 for a manufacturer who had employed over 70 workers a couple of years before. Samuel's brother, John, had become a partner in the firm, and it was renamed S & J Kitchin, with John going on to assume control.

The firm relocated to Soho Cutlery Works, manufacturing table and butcher knives, machetes, daggers, shoe knives, pocket knives, and razors. Their trade marks included 'XCD', 'FAME', 'DURATION', and 'SUPERLATIVE'. The workforce grew to over 200 by 1881.

John Kitchin died, aged 61, in 1894, and Samuel's son William Henry Kitchin (1851-1900) took over, but he only lived to 48. His brother Thomas Edward Kitchin next ran the firm, alongside Harry Kitchin, who was descended from John. They were also joined by other family members.

According to Geoffrey Tweedale, the source of this information, in the 1950's, the company continued to produce a wide range of trade knives, and a large business supplying machetes to African tribesmen. In 1957 though, the company's knife business was acquired by Ralph Martindale & Co Ltd, the famous Birmingham machete makers, but Kitchin continued to manufacture agricultural machine parts until 1987.

It comes with its original heavy duty brown leather scabbard that is in excellent condition with all the original stitching and rivets in place. The stitching has just split apart for about an inch, on the back seem, at the tip along with some stain marks.

It still retains its large belt loop and single retaining strap with stud fastener.

On the front of the loop, below the strap, it is impressed with what looks to be the maker’s mark, being an S.L. together with the date 1944 and a WD arrow.

It is also stamped with another number/year “83”, which indicates it was possibly reissued again for use in 1983?

This is a great opportunity to add a genuine British WW2 machete to your collection.

The machete measures 20” (50.8cm) long and has a 14.75” (37.5cm) blade.

With the scabbard, it weighs a heavy 875g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition that complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 51408