Original Item: Only One Available. The originator of the KA-BAR trademark, Union Cutlery Co, began using the name in 1923, having received a letter from a fur trapper who had used the knife to kill a wounded bear which attacked him when his rifle jammed. According to company records, the letter was only partially legible; "ka bar" could be read, as fragments of the phrase "kill a bear". In 1923, the company adopted the name Ka-Bar from the "bear story" as its trademark. From 1923, the KA-BAR trademark was used as a ricasso stamp by Union Cutlery Co. on its line of automatic switchblade pocket knives, including the KA-BAR Grizzly, KA-BAR Baby Grizzly, and KA-BAR Model 6110 Lever Release knives. The company produced about 1 million knives with the trademark on the ricasso.

This is a great example of the legendary WWII Production U.S.N. marked Mark 2 "Ka-Bar" fighting knife with leather belt sheath. This knife is particularly rare and early due to the Nut Pommel blade-marked Camillus example. Overall length of this Mark 2 knife is 12 inches, with a 7 inch clip-point blade. The markings on the ricassos are as follows:

U.S.N.

CAMILLUS N.Y.

The Mk2 Knife was developed as an improvement over the Mk1 design, which had issues with blade snapping due to the thinner design. Working with Union Cutlery, USMC Colonel John M. Davis and Major Howard E. America contributed several important changes, including a longer, stronger blade, the introduction of a small fuller to lighten the blade, a peened pommel (later replaced by a pinned pommel), a straight (later, slightly curved) steel crossguard, and a stacked leather handle for better grip. The knife was officially known as the 1219C2, but it was commonly called the "Ka-Bar" after the trademark of Union Cutlery that was on the blades of early examples. The first production order went out to Camillus Cutlery Company, who produced the largest number of knives during WWII. The design was subsequently adopted by the Navy as the US Navy Utility Knife, Mark 2, and the USMC adopted it as the USMC Mark 2 Combat Knife, or simply the Knife, Fighting Utility.

In 1944, the US Navy put through a change order to have the markings moved from the blade to the cross guard, so this knife was produced before that change. Knife features original leather washer grip, which is in great condition, with good service wear, and it has a heavy steel pommel with early threaded tang, which is a bit loose. The grip is quite shiny, as it still has some of the original factory "buffed" finish. The blade has much of the blackened finish but does show some loss from service-use.

The leather sheath is the standard type used with the Mark 2, and is in good, used condition. The leather has some dry roy and cracking as shown with rubbing of the material.There is cracking and crazing as well. All of the stitching and rivets are still intact, and it is structurally very sound. The securing strap is intact, and the snap is still functional, with a faded finish. The front is correctly marked with USN.

A very good example of an exceptionally hard to find  early Nut Pommel USN-marked "KA-BAR" knife, field used with a very nice original USN marked leather sheath. No collection is complete without one! Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 6 ¾”
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie" Style
Overall length: 12“
Crossguard: 2 7/16”
Scabbard Length: 7 3/4" with Belt Loop