Dixie RelicsDixie RelicsThis is an example of the larger model, and has the words MURPHY COMBAT cast into the right side of the grip, and U.S.A. cast into the left grip. The knife is 11 3/4 inches in overall length, with the larger 6 1/8 inch blade, measured in the center. Condition is very good, with minimal oxidation on the blade, which is still very sharp, having been used and sharpened during its lifetime. The aluminum grip is in great shape, and some light wear.
The leather scabbard is in good shape, with a lovely aged brown color.
The Murphy Combat Fighting Knife was produced during World War II by David Z. Murphy and his son David M. Murphy. Murphy was a custom knife maker who first came to fame as the maker of the knives sold by the Gerber Legendary Blade Knife Company in 1938. The “Murphy” fighting knives are often categorized loosely as “Theater Knives”, even though they were not manufactured in a wartime theater of operations. This is due to the cast aluminum handle, which was common in true "theater made" knives. They were, however, fighting knives manufactured for the explicit use of US military forces in combat during the Second World War.