Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent original U.S. WWII Navy Mark 2 fighting/utility knife manufactured by Camillus Cutlery Company, complete with its original U.S.N.-marked leather sheath. The knife is an early blade-marked example, with the ricasso stamped U.S.N. on one side and CAMILLUS N.Y. on the other.

The Mark 2 was developed as a stronger and more versatile successor to earlier Navy utility knives. The pattern incorporated a heavier clip-point blade, stacked leather grip, substantial steel crossguard, and reinforced pommel, producing a knife well suited to both field utility work and combat use.

The pattern became closely associated with the name KA-BAR, originally a Union Cutlery trademark, though wartime Mark 2 knives were produced by several manufacturers. Camillus received one of the principal wartime contracts and became one of the largest producers of the type.

This is an excellent example of the legendary WWII Production U.S.N. marked Mark 2 "Ka-Bar" fighting knife with leather belt sheath. 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 very minor service wear, and it has a heavy steel pommel with early threaded tang. The grip is quite shiny, as it still has most of the original factory "buffed" finish. The blade very much of the blackened finish with some very minor loss along the edge from period sharpening. 

The leather sheath is the standard type used with the Mark 2, embossed U.S.N. under the throat, and is in excellent condition. The leather is still bright and supple and without major cracks. 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 great finish. This example is rather outstanding in every regard. The leather has shrunk a small bit so the Camillus marking is still visible on the blade over the throat.

The combination of the early U.S.N. / CAMILLUS N.Y. blade markings, surviving blackened finish, stacked leather grip, threaded tang construction, excellent original leather sheath, and U.S.N. embossing makes this a particularly strong WWII Navy Mark 2 set. Its condition and completeness place it well above the average service-used example and make it an excellent representative of one of the most recognizable American military knives of WWII.

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