Original Item: Only One Available. This is a particularly appealing, service used U.S. Navy Mark 1 fighting and utility knife manufactured by Camillus Cutlery Company and paired with an early USN Mk 1 composition scabbard. The knife retains approximately 80 percent of its original factory black finish, a full and still sharp 5" clip point blade, complete leather washer grip, and clear U.S.N. MARK 1 and CAMILLUS / N.Y. markings. The scabbard remains equally interesting, retaining its original throat wrap, securing strap, March 1945 NORD contract marking, and two names applied during its service life. Together, these features give the set far more character and collector appeal than a lightly handled or assembled example.

The U.S. Navy Mark 1 was issued during WWII as both a general purpose utility knife and a fighting weapon. It was suitable for cutting line, opening containers, preparing equipment, and performing the many daily tasks encountered aboard ship and ashore. While some examples undoubtedly saw combat use, including with Naval Aviators and personnel serving in forward areas, the Mark 1 was primarily intended as a practical knife for general naval service.

The knife measures approximately 9 5/8" overall and has a 5" clip point blade. The blade has the classic Bowie style profile associated with the Mark 1 pattern and remains full, with an edge that is still quite sharp. It should be handled with care.

The ricasso is clearly marked:

U.S.N.
MARK 1

The reverse is marked:

CAMILLUS
N.Y.

These markings identify manufacture by Camillus Cutlery Company of Camillus, New York, one of the principal American military knife manufacturers of WWII.

Approximately 80 percent of the original factory black finish remains on the blade. The surviving finish is particularly attractive and provides a strong contrast with the exposed steel along the edge and areas of service wear.

The grip is constructed from stacked leather washers, all of which remain present and intact. The leather has contracted somewhat during storage, causing the black plastic butt cap to become loose on the grip. The butt cap itself remains in very good condition. The looseness should be kept in mind when handling the knife so that the cap is not damaged or lost.

The accompanying scabbard is the early USN Mk 1 pattern. Its construction is similar to the M8 scabbard used with the U.S. M3 fighting knife, consisting of a thermoplastic impregnated cotton fabric body, metal throat, and canvas belt frog with securing strap.

The front of the throat is marked:

U.S.N.
MK 1

The reverse is marked:

NORD-8114
B.M. Co.

A stylized V P logo is also present. The B.M. Co. marking identifies Beckwith Manufacturing Company, while the V P logo represents its Victory Plastics operation, which manufactured the molded scabbard body. NORD-8114 was a U.S. Navy Ordnance contract issued in March 1945 and included deliveries of both Mark 1 and Mark 2 scabbards during the closing months of WWII. (US Military Knives)

An especially desirable surviving feature is the original protective wrap still fitted around the metal throat. These wraps are often removed, deteriorated, or lost, making its presence an important part of the scabbard’s original configuration.

The scabbard also carries two names. The front has:

Dullard

scratched into its surface, while the reverse is marked:

Kitchens

The presence of two names may indicate successive issue, transfer, or later ownership, although no documentation accompanies the set to identify either individual or establish the circumstances under which the names were applied. They nevertheless add considerable service character and research potential.

The canvas belt frog and securing strap remain present. The strap crosses the knife grip to help retain it within the scabbard. The throat, molded body, canvas suspension, and original wrap combine to make this a particularly complete Mk 1 scabbard.

Mark 1 knives were procured in large numbers during WWII and remained in U.S. Navy inventory long after 1945, with examples continuing in service into the Vietnam War period. Their extended use accounts for the wide variety of manufacturers, blade forms, scabbards, repairs, and service markings encountered today.

From a collecting perspective, the Mark 1 series is particularly interesting because it was produced by numerous American cutlery firms, each using its own combination of blade markings, handle materials, pommel construction, and finish. The scabbards also varied, with both leather and molded composition patterns encountered.

This is a strong issued example with approximately 80 percent original blade finish, clear Camillus and Navy markings, a complete leather washer grip, original plastic butt cap, and a scarce Mk 1 scabbard retaining its throat wrap and late WWII contract markings. The loose butt cap and honest service wear are fully disclosed, while the Dullard and Kitchens names provide an additional human connection worthy of further research. It would display especially well in a U.S. Navy, Naval Aviation, WWII fighting knife, Camillus, Pacific Theater, or American military edged weapons collection.

Dimensions:

Blade Length: 5"
Blade Style: Clip Point “Bowie”
Overall Length: 9 5/8"
Crossguard: 1 3/4"
Scabbard Length: 6" + Belt Frog