Can anyone identify this?

[MG in MD]

Found among my mother-in-law’s stuff. She said maybe came from her relative who was military.

Any idea what it is? Blade is not sharp at all. Some hard to read markings.

Looks like:

USM__
1918
PU__

 

[Brickman301]

1918 Bolo knife. Used during WWI

 

[John from MD]

Looks like a WWI web belt for sure.

 

[Doctor_M]

Way cool!!

 

[teratos]

That’s a great find!

 

[Threeband]

https://olive-drab.com/od_edged_weapons_tools_bolo.php

Model of 1917 Bolo Knife



Virtually identical to the Model 1910, but the scabbard catch has been eliminated. It has the same canvas covered wood sheath, metal throat with leaf spring to grip the knife, and a leather tip. This is the wartime version, made by contractors with a lower quality of materials and finish than the Springfield arsenal 1910 version. Very large numbers of these were produced in 1917-1918. A relatively rare variant of the Model 1917 will be stamped with CT under the date.

Bolos were not issued to every soldier but a few were distributed to each unit in accordance with the T/O for the type of unit deployed and their mission. Machine gun squads received bolos for use in clearing their field of fire.

Because of its shortness, weight, and guard, the Army's bolo was an inefficient brush knife compared to a well designed machete. The M-1942 18-inch, broad-blade machete replaced the bolo knife early in World War II

 

[TheOriginalMexicanBob]

It's sometimes referred to as a "Smatchet" though the "Smatchet" was actually designed much later...in the WWII era by WE Fairbairn of the Sykes-Fairbairn Commando fighting knife fame. They are very similar.

 

[MG in MD]

Thanks everyone!