Martindale No 49 Help!

[j.anisio]

I hate to disagree.
Tramontina is a relatively newcomer to the machete business. Only a few years ago it started wrapping the handle of some models with copper wire, in order to make their machetes to look like Collins'.
The copper wire in the handle may also be found in this other machete, located in the US:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Martindale-B...QQcmdZViewItem.
I think this precludes the Tramontina Hipothesis.

[Danzo]

Jose, I didn't get to call Martindale today, but I'll try again tomorrow.

Danzo

[GermanAmerican]

My apologies for bumping this up to the top everyone but while doing a search on google for the exact same Machete I came across this thread and this forum.

I unfortunately do not have my digital camera with me (left it at work on Friday) however I have the exact machete that is in the above pictures including leather scabbard. I saved it one summer while working on the back of a garbage truck, someone was just going to throw the thing away. It has sat on a hook in my bedroom since. It piqued my interest a few days ago so I've been searching the web, however I've not really been able to find much information regarding it.

Again my apologies in bumping this up from so long ago but I figured it would be the best course of action rather then beginning a new post with no real information of my own to add. Just hoping that someone, someday, finds this thread and has some little tidbit of information to add. I'll see if I can't get a decent quality photo of the scabbard come Monday.

[Anarcus]

My apologies for bumping this up to the top everyone but while doing a search on google for the exact same Machete I came across this thread and this forum.
.

Apologies? pah!

I think it's great that this gets resurected, it's fascinating

Oh and welcome to BB.

[GermanAmerican]

Took me a few but I finally managed to snap some shots of it. (80 hour workweeks aren't too fun lol)

[Stuart Ackerman]

Bumping threads is good, as it lets us see things that we never saw...

[Jason_01]

Heres a bit of info and photos re the old Crocodile works in Birmingham. Martindale are no longer in Brum, think theyve moved to Wolverhampton (not too far away).

http://www.astonbrook-through-astonm...o.uk/id151.htm

The Crocodile works still stands but is due to be demolished along with the HP sauce factory in the very near future

I have one of their issued Billhooks and I recently aquired a couple of old Martindale stamps, No 1778 and 405.

[wabhimself]

l own a martindale 648 which has a slightly weird handle, martindale must make them to suit cerian regions as l know they are used often (or so i've been told) in africa for agricultural use.

mines is a fairly old model also as it was bought over on the bushcraft uk forums from the member tengu who got them from a hardware store where they had been sitting in storage for years.

[Unsub]

I am glad you bumped this thread. I think it is great that they took a good blade and rehandled it. It has a very cool look to it.

[dmcollect41]

Hello - I am completely new to this forum but am happy to find it, given that I collect WWII memorabilia. I also have a machete identical to the one mentioned and pictured here. I do not have a sheath. Mine came out of the bottom of a GI footlocker with a lot of other WWII equipment. I thought it likely just a souvenir - but then I saw that it was made in England. Does anyone know the story on these? I have a Collins and a Zip - both WWII with sheaths. Being new, I'm going to go poke around the rest of the site! D

[mattv]

I had a friend who found this posting regarding a Martindale Machette w/the copper wrap handle and wanted to let you know I also have one and am in Virginia Beach, VA in the US which is where I also found it . I found in some bushes at the oceanfront about 4 or 5 years ago and have extensivly tried to research it myself. It has the exact same marking and is in about the same condition as the pics you posted. I'm willing to make contact with someone who can help me at least date the machette and know if I should use it for yard work (imagine not). I find it amazing that you have also located one so far away from where I located mine! I'm interested in any info you may have accessed and by chance we can work together to resolve this mystery. You can personally email me at my fiancee's email at vabeachchic77@yahoo.com. I look forward to hearing from someone.

[dmcollect41]

So a number of people have found these in a number of different locations in the world. Is it possible it was made for export? How old might they be? Does anyone have reference info that might date by the logo?, Model Number, Etc?Also, another question, I have a Zip from England with one handle broken. Can someone offer a possible replacement source?

[gmunny]

I have another one of these pieces in my possession. My uncle brought it home from WW II. He was in the Pacific campaign for a time. Same blade stampings, same wire wrapped handle...exact same piece...what is a knife like this worth ???

[dmcollect41]

I have no idea, no one seems to be able to place it in history. A WWII Collins with a sheath can go for as much as 150 at a show, though they can be had for less than that. The circumstances listed in these threads certainly suggest it could be a WWII piece. You mention the one you have is a WWII bring-back. Can you offer any details on it?

[Danzo]

Hi gmunny, I now see what your PM was about.

I'm afraid the old chap at Martindale either retired or doesn't work there any more, so I can't help.

However it's likely that the revival of this thread will lead to some answers. We have a lot more knowledgeable WWII collectors now than we used to.

Danzo