{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-usmc-mark-2-ka-bar-fighting-knife-by-camillus-in-leather-sheath-12","title":"Original U.S. WWII USMC Mark 2 KA-BAR Fighting Knife by CAMILLUS in Leather Sheath","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. The originator of the KA-BAR trademark, Union Cutlery Co, began using the name in 1923, having received a letter from a fur trapper who had used the knife to kill a wounded bear which attacked him when his rifle jammed. According to company records, the letter was only partially legible; \"ka bar\" could be read, as fragments of the phrase \"kill a bear\". In 1923, the company adopted the name Ka-Bar from the \"bear story\" as its trademark. From 1923, the KA-BAR trademark was used as a ricasso stamp by Union Cutlery Co. on its line of automatic switchblade pocket knives, including the KA-BAR Grizzly, KA-BAR Baby Grizzly, and KA-BAR Model 6110 Lever Release knives. The company produced about 1 million knives with the trademark on the ricasso.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great service-used example of the legendary WWII Production U.S.M.C marked Mark 2 \"Ka-Bar\" fighting knife with leather belt sheath. Marine Corps issue knives are much harder to find on the market than the U.S.N. marked variety. Overall length of this Mark 2 knife is 12 inches, with a 7 inch clip-point blade. The markings on the ricasso are as follows:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eU.S.M.C.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCAMILLUS N.Y.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mk2 Knife was developed as an improvement over the Mk1 design, which had issues with blade snapping due to the thinner design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorking with Union Cutlery, USMC Colonel John M. Davis and Major Howard E. America contributed several important changes, including a longer, stronger blade, the introduction of a small fuller to lighten the blade, a peened pommel (later replaced by a pinned pommel), a straight (later, slightly curved) steel crossguard, and a stacked leather handle for better grip. The knife was officially known as the 1219C2, but it was commonly called the \"Ka-Bar\" after the trademark of Union Cutlery that was on the blades of early examples. The first production order went out to X, who produced the largest number of knives during WWII. The design was subsequently adopted by the Navy as the US Navy Utility Knife, Mark 2, and the USMC adopted it as the USMC Mark 2 Combat Knife, or simply the Knife, Fighting Utility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1944, the US Navy put through a change order to have the markings moved from the blade to the cross guard, so this knife was produced before that change. The knife features the original leather washer grip, which is in good condition, with some cracking and wear to the leather, and it has a 1\/4\" steel pommel with cross pinned tang. The grip is somewhat shiny, as it still has a small bit of the original factory \"buffed\" finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade shows some of the original black finish and there is very heavy overall wear. There is a bit of wear to the finish and discoloration from the leather sheath, which it has been for decades. The blade has a good but very worn look to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather sheath is the standard type used with the Mark 2, and is in worn condition with the securing strap now broken. These were originally issued in natural leather, and this has faded to a mix of browns and may have been painted. The stitching, rivets and securing strap is present but the strap is broken as shown. The snap broke off of one side, and there is cracking and crazing in the leather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA good example of an exceptionally hard to find USMC-marked \"KA-BAR\" knife! No collection is complete without one! Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 7\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Clip-point \"Bowie\" Style\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 12“\u003cbr\u003eCrossguard: 2 7\/16”\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 7 3\/4\" with Belt Loop\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44883336724549,"sku":"ONSV24HFS007","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24HFS007__01.jpg?v=1776179266","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-usmc-mark-2-ka-bar-fighting-knife-by-camillus-in-leather-sheath-12","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}