Original Item. Only One Available. This is an original U.S. WWII Navy Mark 2 Fighting Knife manufactured by the Robeson Cutlery Company of Perry, New York, complete with a brown leather scabbard. This example features the distinctive clip-point steel blade, stacked leather washer grip, steel crossguard, and rounded steel pommel characteristic of the wartime Mark 2 pattern. The blade retains its darkened finish and broad fullers running along both sides.

Of particular interest are the markings stamped into the blade-facing surfaces of the crossguard. One side is marked RCC, identifying the Robeson Cutlery Company, while the opposite side bears the U.S. Navy designation USN MK 2. This guard-marked configuration is associated with later wartime production, dating approximately to 1944–1945.

The knife measures approximately 30.2 cm [11 7/8 inches] in overall length. It is accompanied by a brown leather scabbard measuring approximately 30.5 cm [12 inches], featuring a stitched and riveted body, an extended belt loop, and a leather retaining strap secured by a metal snap fastener. The upper portion of the leather bears an impressed marking.

The knife remains in good overall condition, displaying substantial age and service-related wear. The blade retains much of its darkened surface, with scattered oxidation, staining, and evidence of sharpening along the cutting edge. The stacked leather grip exhibits considerable darkening, compression, and surface wear, while the crossguard and pommel show an aged patina. Both guard markings remain legible. The accompanying leather scabbard is well preserved very well overall, with expected scuffing, staining, and creasing, particularly around the belt loop and retaining strap. Its principal stitching, rivets, and fastening hardware remain present. This is an original military knife with a sharpened blade that retains a cutting edge. Handle with care to avoid injury.

Overall Length: 11 7/8 in [30.2 cm]
Knife Length: 11 7/8 in [30.2 cm]
Scabbard Length: 12 in [30.5 cm]

Historical Context

The U.S. Navy Mark 2 Fighting Knife emerged during the Second World War as part of a broader effort to equip American servicemen with dependable, multipurpose edged weapons suitable for combat and everyday field duties. Its development was closely connected with the U.S. Marine Corps' adoption of the 1219C2 fighting/utility knife in late 1942, a design that became widely known under the KA-BAR name.

The U.S. Navy subsequently procured its own version, officially designated the Fighting Knife, Mark 2. The Navy's requirements were formalized in procurement specification NAVORD OS 2997, dated November 13, 1943, with revisions issued on May 30, 1944. The Mark 2 became an important part of American wartime personal equipment, combining the practical qualities of a field knife with the strength required of a military fighting weapon.

The design incorporated a broad, single-edged steel blade of approximately seven inches, terminating in a pronounced clip point. This configuration offered considerable versatility, allowing the knife to serve in cutting, camp preparation, general maintenance, and emergency situations while remaining suitable for close-quarters combat. The broad fullers reduced some of the blade's weight while preserving a substantial cross-section, and the darkened steel finish helped limit unwanted reflections.

The stacked leather washer grip was another important element of the design. Its contoured and grooved construction provided a secure gripping surface while remaining relatively straightforward to manufacture using established American cutlery production methods. The steel crossguard offered hand protection, while the substantial pommel completed a durable knife intended to withstand demanding military service.

The Mark 2 served as both a fighting weapon and an indispensable practical tool. Navy personnel operated in environments ranging from shipboard compartments and landing craft to forward bases and isolated shore installations. A robust fixed-blade knife could be useful for cutting rope, opening packaging, preparing temporary positions, working with equipment, and performing numerous other tasks encountered during wartime service.

The knife also became closely associated with American amphibious operations in the Pacific, where naval personnel supported the transportation, landing, and supply of troops across widely dispersed island battlefields. Its practical design was particularly suitable for the difficult environmental conditions encountered in tropical and maritime service, where reliable personal cutting tools were valuable for routine duties as well as emergencies.

The Navy Mark 2 remained an established military knife pattern after 1945, continuing in American service through subsequent conflicts, including the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Its long service life reflected the enduring practicality of the original wartime design and secured its place among the most recognizable American military edged weapons of the twentieth century.