Original Item. Only One Available. This is an original U.S. WWII Marine Corps 1219C2 Knife manufactured by PAL Blade Company and accompanied by a PAL-marked brown leather scabbard. The knife is the familiar wartime USMC fighting/utility pattern, with a broad clip-point steel blade, elongated fuller, steel crossguard, stacked-leather washer grip, colored fiber spacers, and metal pommel. The ricasso is stamped PAL on one side and USMC on the opposite side, identifying it as PAL's Marine Corps production.

The knife measures approximately 30.5 cm [12 in] overall, with the standard pattern blade measuring approximately 17.8 cm [7 in]. The accompanying leather scabbard measures approximately 33 cm [13 in]. It is constructed from heavy brown leather with stitched and riveted reinforcement, an extended belt loop, and leather retaining straps at the throat. The front is distinctly stamped PAL BLADE CO. Of additional interest are hand-scratched initials appearing to read “W W” on the front and back of the scabbard. These appear to be an individual owner's or user's marking, although the identity represented by the initials cannot be established.

The knife is in good service-used condition, displaying considerable age and field wear. The blade has been repeatedly sharpened and shows surface discoloration, scratches, spotting, and a small edge nick near the forward portion of the cutting edge. The stacked-leather grip is darkened, compressed, and worn from handling, while the guard and pommel show oxidation and surface wear. The leather scabbard exhibits substantial scuffing, scratches, staining, finish loss, and deterioration around the upper edges and belt-loop area. The retaining strap is missing one component of its snap fastener and can no longer be secured closed. The stitching and reinforcing hardware remain substantially intact, and the PAL maker stamp remains readily legible. This is an original military knife with a sharpened blade that retains a cutting edge. Handle with care to avoid injury.

Overall Length: 12 in [30.5 cm]
Blade Length: 7 in [17.8 cm]
Scabbard Length: 13 in [33 cm]

Historical Context

The U.S. Marine Corps officially adopted the 1219C2 Knife on November 23, 1942, during a period of rapid expansion and modernization of American military equipment. Marines needed a durable, dependable knife that could serve as both a fighting weapon and a practical tool for everyday field use. The resulting design combined a broad, approximately seven-inch clip-point blade with a stacked-leather grip, a simple steel crossguard, and a sturdy metal pommel. Its straightforward construction made it well suited to mass production, while its versatility quickly established it as an important piece of personal equipment.

Production began in early 1943, with contracts awarded to several established American cutlery manufacturers, including the PAL Blade Company, Camillus Cutlery Company, Robeson Cutlery Company, and Union Cutlery Company. Although the knife eventually became widely known as the “Ka-Bar,” this was originally a trademark associated with Union Cutlery rather than the official military designation. Over time, the name became synonymous with the entire pattern, regardless of manufacturer. The design was also adopted by the U.S. Navy as the Mark 2 Utility Knife, further extending its service throughout the American armed forces.

The knife became particularly associated with the Pacific Theater, where Marines operated in demanding environments ranging from tropical jungles to volcanic islands and fortified coastal positions. A dependable knife was valuable for numerous routine tasks, including cutting rope, opening ammunition and ration containers, preparing field positions, and maintaining equipment. Its sturdy blade also made it suitable for emergency close-quarters combat, although much of its practical value came from the countless everyday tasks performed by servicemen under difficult field conditions.

The knife's leather scabbard was an equally important part of its design. Intended to be worn on the equipment belt, it allowed the weapon to remain readily accessible while protecting the blade during movement. Leather remained a practical material for wartime knife scabbards, offering durability and flexibility with relatively simple manufacturing requirements. The PAL BLADE CO. marking on the scabbard identifies its manufacturer and adds another interesting detail to this particular set.

Personal markings are another intriguing aspect of wartime equipment. Servicemen frequently marked their belongings with names, initials, or identifying numbers, particularly when equipment was shared, stored, or transported alongside that of other personnel. The hand-scratched “W W” initials on this scabbard may reflect this practice. Although the individual behind the inscription remains unidentified, the marking gives the knife a personal character and serves as a small reminder of the servicemen who carried and relied upon such equipment during WWII.