Item Description
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 issued throughout WW2 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 example with all leather grip washers intact and present, made by H. Boker. The plastic butt cap is in great shape, with no major chips or dents, and is tight on the grip. The knife measures 9 5/8" overall, with a 5" clip point blade. The blade is nicely marked U.S.N. on the ricasso and H. BOKER / U.S.A. on the reverse. About 20% of the original blade finish remains, and there is staining and pitting present. Knife has been used and sharpened though, so the edge is moved in slightly.
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 for Mk 1 scabbards, and delivered between June 1944 and April 1945. It was manufactured by Beckwith Mfg Co. a division of Victory Plastics. Scabbard is in good condition, with little wear and very little 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.
Dimensions:
Blade length: 5”
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie"
Overall length: 9 5/8”
Crossguard: 1 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 6" + Belt Frog
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