RARE USMC WW2 barbed Wire Cutters MARINE CORPS Large Head HKP 1945 For Sale

Antique original

United States marine corps issue !

USMC

WWII

RARE

‘ large head ‘

WWII marine corps Issue !

WW2

1945 manufacture.

excellent condition

not rusted or abused

They have most of the original finish and have decent condition black rubberized covers on the handles

( as seen In the book ‘Grunt Gear’ by Alec Tulkoff ,…

he notes these as the heavy duty model contracted by the Marine Corps circa 1944 - 1945 )

Stamped

“ USMC

HKP 1945 “

on the oversized head

( the marine corps version has a larger head than the standard USGI / army issue wire cutter)

fully operational.

It measures just under 9” long

during World War II,

barbed wire was a common obstacle utilized by the Japanese in the PTO ( pacific theater of operations )

The entanglement was commonly used to funnel attacking marines into ‘ zones ‘ covered by an intrenched and well camouflaged opponent

barbed wire was commonly used to protect pillboxes , ammo dumps and forward listening posts

there was virtually no way to attack these positions without first cutting through the wire

during the early years of the war ,

complicated large & cumbersome civilian style cutters were initially used

these innovative & compact hand-held wire cutters were a welcome addition to the marines

Again ….

This scarce tool measures approximately 9” in length. The cutters are stamped:

U.S.M.C.

HKP 1945

( not the common army issue type )

The condition of these cutters are truly excellent

They look barely used

most of the original finish remains -

( I cleaned hardened original WWII USGI grease off them , in order to take these photographs)

scarce WWII Marine Corps model 1938 wire cutters

A MUST HAVE for your USMC collection

Very rare !

you seldom real WWII dated USMC wire cutters offered at any price !

Don’t pass them up !