Original 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.

This is a great example of the legendary WWII Production USN Mark 2 "KA-BAR" fighting knife by Robeson Cutlery Co., with a MK2 Scabbard. Overall length of this Mk2 is 12 inches, with a 6 7/8 inch clip-point blade. The markings on the knife crossguard are as follows:

U.S.N.
MARK 2

Below the blade is marked:

R.C.C.

The Mk2 Knife was developed as an improvement over the Mk1 design, which had issues with blade snapping due to the thinner design. Working 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 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.

Camillus Cutlery Co., the first manufacturer to supply the Ka-Bar Combat Knife under contract, also produced the largest number of such knives, producing over one million examples marked "Camillus.N.Y." on the knife's crossguard before the war ended. Besides Camillus, the Union Cutlery Co., Robeson (ShurEdge) Cutlery Co., and the PAL Cutlery Co. all produced the KA-BAR knife under military contract during World War II.

In 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 after that change. The cross guard is straight, as on early and mid war issued examples, though part of the cross guard has been bent. It features original leather washer grip, which is in great shape with no cracks or splitting, with only a bit of wear, and no rounding.

The blade does have wear on the finish and edge, so it did see some use. It was sharpened enough at the tip to reduce the length slightly, and cleaning has removed a majority of the original finish. Still, most of the original factory machining marks can still be seen, so it does not look to have been cleaned to remove rust. It has a heavy steel pommel with cross pinned tang. The blade is in good condition, and is still somewhat sharp.

The leather sheath is the standard type used with the Mark 2, and is in just lovely worn condition. These were originally issued in natural leather, and this has faded to a darkened brown from use. The stitching, rivets and securing strap is present without any extensive damage.

A lovely example ready for further research and display.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 7"
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie" Style
Overall length: 12“
Crossguard: 2 7/16”
Scabbard Length: 7 3/4" with Belt Loop