Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Australian Army Long Machete

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Subcollections

Edged Weapons, Swords, Bayonets, Knives and Tools

Overview

During World War 2 Australia issued a distinctive long machete for the Australian Forces. This machete was completely different to the previous bolo pattern machetes. The machete has a 43 cm blade a simple wooden handle.

Historical information

In both civilain and military use the machete is extremely versatile, tool as both a knife and an ax. The machete blade is used for cutting, while the weighted upper blade provides force for chopping.
During operations in New Guinea and the South West Pacific a primary use was clearing paths, blazing new trails and clearing brush for lines of sight. It was also used to chop prepare wood for fuel, husk coconuts and cut and prepare native fruit. Machetes were also used as a butchering tool for meat rations.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-55-576

Inscriptions and markings

The displayed example was produced by Whittingslowe Engineering in Adelaide and is marked WHITTINGSLOWE ADELAIDE over D/I\D.

Contextual Information

A display of military knives and machetes used by the Australian Army, both issue and private patterns may be found in the Pacific Islands section of the World War 2 Gallery. All edged weapons, including bayonets, knives and swords in the collection of the Australian Army Museum of Western Australia are physically secured within locked display cases.

Links to additional resources

Whittingslowe Knives

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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