Identified - PAL RH 36 - WWII Fighting Knife

[jcastaway]

I'm still learning blade identification so I didn't know what this was at first glance but knew it was worth picking up at auction. It's physically solid but in rough shape from years of use and abuse. I don't think it needs much so we're going to do a quick recondition and list for sale.

[jcastaway]

Overview

• The PAL RH 36, also known as the RH-36, is a significant WWII-era fighting and utility knife produced by the PAL Cutlery Company. PAL emerged as a key manufacturer during World War II, transitioning from producing razor blades and cutlery to military knives after acquiring Remington Arms’ cutlery division in 1941. This acquisition occurred as Remington shifted its focus to firearms production for the war effort, leaving PAL to fulfill the demand for reliable fixed-blade knives.

Manufacturer

• PAL Cutlery Company, originally tied to the Utica Knife & Razor Company and later merging with the Pal Blade Company in Chicago, established a facility in Plattsburg, NY. After acquiring Remington’s cutlery division, PAL expanded into producing military-grade knives, including the RH 36, to meet urgent U.S. government contracts during WWII. The company ceased operations in 1953, but its wartime knives remain iconic.

Historical Significance

• These knives were mass-produced for the war effort, becoming vital for soldiers, especially in scenarios where a bayonet wasn't issued, like with the M1 carbine or for aircrews. The knives were intended for general utility but also capable of being used in combat situations due to their design. Over time, the knife's finish evolved. Initially, they were polished bright, but later in the war, they were delivered with a Parkerized finish for reduced visibility and durability.

[jcastaway]

Looks like these knifes were issued to and popular with pilots.

[jcastaway]

Design and Features

• Blade: The PAL RH 36 features a 6 to 6.5-inch clip-point blade, resembling the design of the U.S. Navy Mark II Fighting Knife but adapted for broader utility. Early wartime versions had a bright, polished finish, while later models featured a parkerized (gray, matte) finish to reduce glare, prevent rust, and enhance durability in combat environments.

• Handle: Constructed from stacked leather washers, often with red, yellow, or black spacers near the guard and pommel, providing a durable, grippy surface. This design is characteristic of many WWII-era military knives.

Pommel and Guard: The pommel is typically aluminum, though some wartime examples might feature steel or wood, and the guard is usually nickel-silver or steel for added strength.

• Overall Length: Approximately 10.75 to 11 inches, making it compact yet functional.
  Markings: The blade is stamped with "RH PAL MADE IN USA 36," where "RH" stands for "Remington Hunting," a legacy of its origins in Remington’s hunting knife designs, and "36" indicates the model with a 6-inch blade.

Use and Distribution

• The PAL RH 36 was not an official "Army issue" knife but was widely used by U.S. military personnel across all branches, including the Army, Navy, Marines, and the U.S. Army Air Corps (precursor to the U.S. Air Force). It served as a versatile utility knife for tasks like clearing foliage, opening crates, and survival, while its robust design also made it suitable for combat when needed—especially in units where bayonets weren’t issued, such as with the M1 carbine or for aircrews. Due to shortages of official military fighting knives early in the war, soldiers and sailors often purchased or were issued the RH 36 through PX systems or local sporting goods stores, making it one of the most common commercial fighting knives of WWII. Postwar, PAL continued to sell the RH 36 as a civilian hunting knife, often with brighter finishes.