Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice service used example of the classic WWII U.S.M.C. Mark 2 fighting knife manufactured by Camillus Cutlery Company of Camillus, New York, complete with its leather belt sheath. U.S.M.C. marked examples are less commonly encountered than U.S.N. marked variants and remain especially desirable to collectors of Marine Corps edged weapons.

The knife measures approximately 12 inches overall with a 7 inch clip point blade.

The ricasso is marked:

U.S.M.C.

and:

CAMILLUS N.Y.

The Mark 2 was developed as an improvement over the earlier Mark 1 pattern, which had shown weaknesses in service, including blade breakage. Working with Union Cutlery, USMC Colonel John M. Davis and Major Howard E. America contributed to a number of changes, including a longer and stronger blade, a small fuller, an improved pommel arrangement, a steel crossguard, and a stacked leather grip for better control.

The knife was officially designated the 1219C2, although the general pattern became widely known as the “KA-BAR” because of the Union Cutlery trademark used on early examples. Camillus received the first major production contract and went on to manufacture a very large number of Mark 2 knives during WWII.

The design was subsequently adopted by the U.S. Navy as the U.S. Navy Utility Knife, Mark 2, while the Marine Corps used it as the USMC Mark 2 Combat Knife, also commonly known as the Fighting Utility Knife.

In 1944, the U.S. Navy directed that markings be moved from the blade ricasso to the crossguard. Since this example retains its markings on the blade, it represents production prior to that change.

The grip is composed of stacked leather washers and remains in good overall condition. There is some cracking and wear to the leather from service and age, but the grip is still solid. A slight sheen remains on portions of the surface, consistent with remnants of the original factory buffed finish.

The pommel is the 1/4 inch thick steel type and is cross pinned to the tang.

The blade retains traces of its original blackened finish but shows very heavy overall wear. There is significant finish loss and discoloration, including areas that appear to have been affected by long term contact with the leather sheath. The blade has an honest, heavily used appearance without looking over cleaned.

The accompanying leather sheath is the standard type associated with the Mark 2 and is in worn condition. The leather has aged to a mixture of brown tones and may have had additional finish or paint applied at some point.

The stitching and rivets remain present, and the retaining strap is still there, although it is now broken. One side of the snap has also broken away. The leather shows extensive cracking and crazing throughout from age and use.

Despite the sheath damage, the set remains a very appealing service used example of one of the most recognizable American fighting knives of WWII. The combination of early blade markings, Camillus manufacture, U.S.M.C. designation, stacked leather grip, and original leather sheath gives it strong Marine Corps character.