{"product_id":"original-u-s-vietnam-war-mark-2-ka-bar-fighting-knife-by-utica-cutlery-with-leather-sheath","title":"Original U.S. Vietnam War Mark 2 KA-BAR Fighting Knife by Utica Cutlery with Leather Sheath","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: This is a great example of the legendary Vietnam War USN Mark 2 \"Ka-Bar\" fighting knife with a Vietnam \"oxblood\" finished leather scabbard. Overall length of this Mk2 is 12 inches, with a 7 inch clip-point blade. The markings on the blade ricasso are as follows:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUTICA CUT. CO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather scabbard is original Vietnam era issue, with the anti-fungal \"oxblood\" finish. The leather is in good condition with signs of wear. All the stitches are intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is in very good condition, showing much of the original factory grind on the edge. It has however been refinished with what looks to be USN \"Haze Blue\" paint, a very durable finish. Most of this is still retained, though there is some light corrosion on the edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great example of the hard to find USN-marked \"KA-BAR\" knife, in very good condition. No knife collection is complete without an example of a \"Ka-bar\" and is ready for display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 7\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Clip-point \"Bowie\" Style\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 12“\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 2 7\/16”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 8\" with Belt Loop\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 WW2. 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41900727795781,"sku":"ONSV24CPS189","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24CPS189__01.jpg?v=1726886086","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-vietnam-war-mark-2-ka-bar-fighting-knife-by-utica-cutlery-with-leather-sheath","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}