This is a scarce, authentic V-44 No.18 Collins & Co. Legitimus WWII Bowie Fighting Knife/Machete; it is an early model with the arm lifting a hammer to the sky under the Collins & Co. name, Legitimus below the arm symbol, made in U.S.A., No.18 all on blade; blade is steel, has 2 parallel groved lines on blade spine and is 9 3/8\"L; OAL 14\"; hilt or guard is solid brass with 2 lugs; handle material is green Horn (black) with brass pins; leather scabbard is embossed with scrolled designs and has Collins & Co., raised arm w/hammer, Legitimus stamp with 13 below stamp. The knife is in very good condition considering the use to which it was put; blade has no nicks and no other damage to the knife; it has never been cleaned or sharpened by owner so as not to detract from its original use. This Bowie Knife was purchased not only for its interest to my husband as a knife collector but also for its great value from an historical perspective.