Description
This very rare item recently surfaced at the estate sale of a soldier who reportedly served as a hospital corpsman in the Civil War. Originally called a Hospital Corps Machete when introduced in early 1862, this form of knife was manufactured at the request of W.A. Hammond, Surgeon General of the US Army, who was trying to establish a permanent hospital and ambulance corps.
It was made to be used in the field for clearing brush and cutting saplings for splints and emergency shelter supports. Unfortunately, the government declined to create the service and thus the group did not get formally organized until 1887.
The knives produced went into storage until most were sold to the State Militia of New York. By 1875, only one of the original knives remained in Collins factory display. It is unknown as to how many were ever produced, but they are indeed very rare. A great article on them was written by B.K. Brooks and published in Knife Magazine October, 2019.
This example is the second one I have seen in over 45+ years and the ONLY one which retains the original leather scabbard. The sheath is missing the metal drag at the bottom but otherwise is in fine condition overall.
