Original U.S. WWII Navy USN Mark 1 Fighting Knife by CAMILLUS with U.S.N. Mk1 Scabbard
-
Original Item: Only One Available. The Navy MK1 knife was used as both a utility knife and a fighting weapon. While some undoubtedly saw combat, particularly with Naval Aviators, these blades were mostly used for everyday functions aboard ship and ashore. The Mark I knives were Navy issue throughout WWII and remained in inventory through the Vietnam war. They were purchased in huge quantities so replacements were not needed for many years.
From a collecting standpoint the beauty of the Mark I knives is in the wide variety of makers and blades that can be found. As for values, like most things USGI blades are evaluated based on scarcity and condition.
This knife is a nice solid service used example with all leather grip washers intact and present, though worn. The plastic butt cap is in great shape, with no major chips or dents, though it is a bit loose. The knife measures 9 1/2" overall, with a 4 7/8" clip point blade. Blade nicely marked U.S.N. / MARK 1 on the ricasso and CAMILLUS / N.Y. on the reverse. About 30% of the original blade finish remains, and there are no major chips or dings on the edge, though there are some dents on the spint. Knife has been used and sharpened though, which has shortened the blade by around 1/8".
The scabbard is the early MK 1 version, very similar in construction to the M8 scabbard for the M3 fighting knife, with a thermoplastic impregnated cotton fabric body, metal throat, and canvas frog and securing strap. The front of the throat is marked U.S.N MK 1, and the rear is marked NORD - 8114 / B.M. Co. with a stylized V P logo. The NORD number is for the US Navy contract it was produced under, which was delivered between March 1945 and May 1945. It was manufactured by Beckwith Mfg Co. a division of Victory Plastics. Scabbard is in good condition, with some wear and staining on the canvas of the integral frog.
Overall a nice example of an iconic knife used in WWII. No collection of World War II US military knives is complete without a Mark 1, and this is the perfect opportunity to acquire one with a great patina of age.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
We Buy Military Antiques
Our team expert buyers travels the world to pay fair prices for entire estate collections to singular items.
START SELLING TODAY
