Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used example of the legendary WWII U.S.M.C. marked Mark 2 KA-BAR fighting knife, complete with its original leather sheath. U.S.M.C. marked examples are considerably harder to find than the more commonly encountered U.S.N. marked variety, and this knife has several desirable early to mid war construction features.

Union Cutlery Co., the originator of the KA-BAR trademark, began using the name in 1923. According to company history, the name came from a partially legible letter written by a fur trapper who described using one of the company’s knives to kill a wounded bear after his rifle jammed. The phrase “kill a bear” could only partly be read, leaving “ka bar,” which the company subsequently adopted as a trademark.

The knife measures approximately 12 inches overall with a 7 inch clip point blade.

The ricasso is marked on one side:

USMC

and on the opposite side:

KA-BAR
OLEAN, N.Y.

The large U.S.M.C. marking and Olean address are correct features for Union Cutlery production from the period.

The knife has the correct larger rectangular tang and a 1/4 inch thick pommel, which is cross pinned to the tang. It also has the substantial stacked leather washer grip associated with wartime production.

The Mark 2 was developed as an improvement over the earlier Mark 1 pattern, which had shown weaknesses in service, including blade breakage. Working with Union Cutlery, USMC Colonel John M. Davis and Major Howard E. America contributed to changes that included a longer and stronger blade, a small fuller, an improved pommel arrangement, a steel crossguard, and a stacked leather grip.

The pattern was officially designated the 1219C2, though it quickly became widely known by the KA-BAR name because of the Union Cutlery trademark. The design was also adopted by the U.S. Navy as the U.S. Navy Utility Knife, Mark 2, while the Marine Corps used it as the USMC Mark 2 Combat Knife, or Fighting Utility Knife.

In 1944 the U.S. Navy ordered markings moved from the blade to the crossguard, although late KA-BAR production continued to retain blade markings such as those seen on this example. The knife also has the later style slightly swept back crossguard.

The stacked leather grip retains a distinctive red spacer at the top, though there is no matching red spacer at the bottom. The grip remains in good condition overall with honest field wear and some verdigris. The leather shows substantial use but remains complete and solid.

The pommel and blade markings are consistent with early to mid war production. The blade has lost most of its original blackened finish, and the factory ground edge is still partially visible. There is honest wear throughout from service and handling.

The original leather sheath is the standard type used with the Mark 2 and remains in good service used condition. The leather has faded to an attractive chestnut brown and is still mostly supple. There are no major structural cracks, though some surface dry rot is present around the upper securing strap and belt loop.

All stitching and staples remain intact, and the sheath is structurally sound. The retaining strap is still present and the snap remains functional, though its finish has faded. There is heavy verdigris present across the metal fittings.

This is an excellent USMC marked KA-BAR with strong wartime character, a desirable red spacer grip detail, and its original leather sheath. The combination of U.S.M.C. markings, Olean blade stamp, pinned pommel construction, and honest field wear makes it a particularly attractive example of one of the most recognizable American fighting knives of WWII.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 7 inches
Blade Style: Clip Point Bowie Style
Overall Length: 12 inches
Crossguard: 2 7/16 inches
Scabbard Length: 7 3/4 inches with 5 inch Belt Loop