WWI US Naval Chief's Knives

CutlassCollector · Today, 12:54 PM

Hard to imagine what these would be used for and they look more like tools rather than weapons.
A large warship even in WW1 would have been equipped with its own cutlasses, and other small arms including rifles and bayonets.

Large ships with hundreds of crew members would have frozen meat storage facilities so I'm thinking these are butcher's knives for cutting up carcasses and large cuts of meat. Chef not chief perhaps?

Ian · Today, 02:19 PM

Hi CC. The idea of cooking knives occurred to me also. The USN does not have "chefs," but cooks for sure.

The hilts are similar on these two and and a bit unusual.

Today, 12:54 PM	#1
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 331	Hard to imagine what these would be used for and they look more like tools rather than weapons. A large warship even in WW1 would have been equipped with its own cutlasses, and other small arms including rifles and bayonets. Large ships with hundreds of crew members would have frozen meat storage facilities so I'm thinking these are butcher's knives for cutting up carcasses and large cuts of meat. Chef not chief perhaps?

Today, 02:19 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,206	Hi CC. The idea of cooking knives occurred to me also. The USN does not have "chefs," but cooks for sure. The hilts are similar on these two and and a bit unusual.