USN Ka-Bar Mk II Fighting Knife

In 1941, Ka-Bar responded to the US Marine Corps' need for a standard issue fighting/utility knife, and once the Military had approved the basic design, other cutlery manufacturers, including Camillus, Case, Queen, Robeson, and Pal, were licensed to produce more than a million of the knives.

The Ka-Bar was both a utility knife and a fighting weapon and this example being USN issue may have been used by Navy Aviators, but often were mostly used for everyday functions aboard ship and ashore. They were Navy issue throughout WWII and remained an inventory item through to the Vietnam war. The origin of the name Ka-Bar is unknown, although some believe it relates to a boast from an early user that the knife could "kill a bear. "Others adhere to a more military interpretation, maintaining that the name stands for "Knife Attached—Browning Automatic Rifle. "Marines dependeded on their Ka-Bars as camp implements, useful for prying lids off crates, driving nails and digging holes and many issued examples that survive bear evidence of such usage

Ours however remains in remarkably good, issued condition, with minimal signs of light wear. It is a good solid example with all leather grip washers intact. The blade retain most of its bluing and is nicely marked 'U. S. ' and 'CAMILLUS' (for Cutlery Company New York),whilst the sheath is made from a composite material, with a metal throat and the webbing frog is complete with a snap fastening securing strap. The front of the throat is marked 'U. S. N Mk II', and the rear 'NORD - 4723 B. M. Co. ' ( (Beckwith Manufacturing Company) with a stylized 'V P' (Victory Plastics) logo. 'NORD' stands for 'Navy Ordanace' and the number following is the contract number and in this case 4723, that we believe indicates a November 1943 contract, that numbered 592,000 knives! 'The tip of the scabbard is correctly holed for a thigh cord. The knife and scabbard measure 13.5" (34 cm) and the knife blade is 6.75" (17.5 cm). A hard to find and very crisp example of a famouse knife.

Please note we are forbidden by law to sell any knife to anyone under the age of 18 and we will require firm evidence from the buyer of this item in advance of order placement