Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original U.S. WWII Navy Mark 2 Fighting/Utility Knife, manufactured by Union Cutlery Company of Olean, New York, under its famous KA-BAR trademark, complete with a correct wartime leather scabbard manufactured by Boyt and dated 1943. The knife retains several desirable early production features, including its straight steel crossguard, substantial 3/8-inch-thick pommel with a rectangular peened tang, and original stacked leather washer grip. The blade retains its early KA-BAR ricasso marking, while USN markings are also reported on the knife. Both the knife and scabbard exhibit honest service wear, with the leather grip showing considerable handling and the blade retaining much of its finish despite evidence of sharpening. The combination of early wartime construction features and a 1943-dated Boyt scabbard makes this a particularly interesting example of the Navy's standard WWII fighting and utility knife.
The knife measures approximately 12 inches overall with a 7-inch clip-point blade. One ricasso is marked USN, while the reverse is stamped KA-BAR, the trademark that became so closely associated with this pattern that the name eventually became almost synonymous with the Mark 2 fighting knife.

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 first production order went out to Camillus Cutlery Company, who produced the largest number of knives during WW2. 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.

In 1944, the US Navy put through a change order to have the markings moved from the blade to the cross guard, but this example is marked on both the blade and crossguard, in a sort of transitional style. One side of the ricasso is stamped KA-BAR, and both sides of the crossguard are stamped USN. 

This knife features a straight early issue type cross guard. The knife features original leather washer grip, which is in good condition but worn. Most importantly, it has a heavy 3/8" thick pommel with a rectangular peened tang. This denotes mid-war production. The original stacked leather washer grip is in very good service used condition, with that lovely broken in look.

The blade is currently relatively sharp, with some post-production sharpening evident. The finish is in good shape with wear along the blade edge.

The sheath is in good shape with the securing strap intact with verdigris. The sheath is marked U.S.N. on the front with BOYT 43 on the throat. The leather is good and crazed, but still displays well. All stitching and staples are intact.

The U.S. Navy Mark 2 KA-BAR remains one of the most recognizable American fighting and utility knives of the Second World War, reflecting the practical requirements of both naval and Marine Corps personnel. This example is particularly noteworthy for its early construction characteristics, including the straight crossguard, substantial peened pommel, original stacked leather grip, and surviving KA-BAR manufacturer marking. The accompanying 1943-dated Boyt leather scabbard, with its original stitching, staples, and retaining strap, provides an appropriate wartime complement to the knife. Although both components exhibit service-related wear, their surviving markings and construction details make this a significant representative example of American WWII edged weapons and naval equipment.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 7"
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie" Style
Overall length: 12“
Crossguard: 2 7/16”
Scabbard Length: 8" with Belt Loop