World War 11 U.S. Army Air Force Type A-1 folding machete survival knife

Description

World War II U.S. Army Air Force Type A-1 folding machete survival knife. Manufactured by Imperial Knife Co. Providence RI. as stamped on left ricasso. Adopted by the US Military in 1942 for the B-4 emergency bail out kit usually attached to the parachute harness. Checkered black plastic grip panels. Blued steel blade. There is a guard system built into machete. When closed, the metal guard protects the blade. When open, the guard flips closed to lock the blade in place. There is a release button for the guard that must be pushed to the release the guard and close the blade.  It is marked
MACHETE WITH SHEATH / TYPE A-1 / NO. 48C3639
.  This has been in my family since the 1940's.
MEASUREMENTS: Blade length is 9-5/8". Overall length when open is 17". Overall length when closed is 11-5/8".
CONDITION: Very good.  Small spot of rust on cutting edge of blade, black discoloration on tie on bottom of sheath.  Overall a excellent  specimen from this time period.