Original U.S. WWII USN Red Spacer Mark 2 KA-BAR Fighting Knife by Robeson Cutlery with USN Leather Sheath
In stock
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Original Item: This is a fantastic example of the legendary WWII Production USN Mark 2 "Ka-Bar" fighting knife by Robeson Cutlery Co., with the scarce red line spacer under the crossguard. Overall length of this Mk2 is 12 inches, with a 7 inch clip-point blade. The markings on the blade ricasso are as follows:
ROBESON SHUREDGE
The reverse is marked:
U S N
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 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.
Camillus Cutlery Co., the first manufacturer to supply the Ka-Bar Combat Knife under contract, also produced the largest number of such knives, producing over one million examples marked "Camillus.N.Y." on the knife's crossguard before the war ended. Besides Camillus, the Union Cutlery Co., Robeson (ShurEdge) Cutlery Co., and the PAL Cutlery Co. all produced the Ka-Bar knife under military contract during World War II.
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 the change. The cross guard is straight with bends at each end, and it has a heavy steel pommel with a peened tang, typical of early production knives. The pommel is a bit loose. It features original leather washer grip with the red spacer at the top, which is in great shape with no cracks or splitting, but there is wear and rubbing. About 97% of the original blade finish is still present. The blade is in outstanding condition, and is VERY sharp. The finish is very well-retained with very little use. The pommel retains its finish as well.
The sheath is a nice leather example which is in good shape. It is worn, with minor cracking, and brown with age. All stitching and rivets are intact, and it is marked U.S.N. on the throat.
An exceptional example of the early hard to find Blade-marked "KA-BAR" knife, in good condition. No knife collection is complete without an example of a "Ka-bar".
Specifications:
Blade Length: 7"
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie" Style
Overall length: 12“
Crossguard: 2 3/8”
Scabbard Length: 7 5/8" with Belt Loop
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