Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. The Navy MK1 knife was used as both a utility knife and a fighting weapon. While some undoubtedly saw combat, particularly with Naval Aviators, these blades were mostly used for everyday functions aboard ship and ashore. The Mark I knives were Navy issue throughout WW2 and remained in inventory through the Vietnam war. They were purchased in huge quantities so replacements were not needed for many years.
From a collecting standpoint the beauty of the Mark I knives is in the wide variety of makers and blades that can be found. As for values, like most things USGI blades are evaluated based on scarcity and condition. All generally follow the pattern, with 5" clip-point blades, and an overall length of about 9 5/8".
Here we have a wonderful set of two Mark 1 knives from different makers, named to the same U.S. Navy officer, from different points during his WWII Service. Both have scabbards named to Dean G. Corey III, and per information we received with the knives, these were purchased from his daughter Anne in 2018. Included with the knives & scabbards is some reference information regarding Corey and the two knives.
The first knife is a U.S.N. marked example made by Geneva Forge, located in Geneva New York. There are no other markings, however based on the wooden pommel and bright blade, this is an unmarked variation. In the book The Best of US Military Knives: Bayonets & Machetes by M.H. Cole, this knife is identified as No. 27 GENEVA FORGE on page 110. The knife is in very good condition, with a very nice finish on the blade, and just a bit of cleaned off staining and oxidation. The stacked leather grip is also solid, though the washers have shrunken a bit, so the crossguard and grip are a bit loose.
The included leather scabbard is a standard U.S. Navy style leather belt type, with a stitched and riveted blade pocket. It is marked on the back with ENS. D. G. COREY / ACORN 33, and is from early in the war. There are some signs of water exposure, not uncommon for a naval example, but it is in overall very good condition. The securing strap however has degraded, and now is almost falling off.
The second knife is a nice solid example made by the Camillus Cutlery Co. of Camillus, N.Y.. The blade is nicely marked U.S.N. / MARK 1 on the ricasso and CAMILLUS / N.Y. on the reverse. In the book The Best of US Military Knives: Bayonets & Machetes by M.H. Cole, this knife is identified as No. 2 CAMILLUS on page 104. Most of the original blade finish remains, and there are no major chips or dings on the edge, which is still sharp. There is a bit of oxidation on the blade though, common for knives used at sea. The plastic butt cap is in great shape, with no major chips or dents, however it is a bit loose. The stacked leather grip does show some cracking in the washers, and is no longer soft, possibly from water exposure.
The included leather scabbard is a standard U.S. Navy style leather belt type, with a stitched and riveted blade pocket. It is marked on the back with a U.S. Navy Eagle drawing, and named with:
Dean G. Corey
III
Lieut. (j.g.) USNR
U.S.S. Cowpens (CVL-25)
This would be from later in the war, possibly slightly post war, which is why Corey listed himself as being in the U.S. Navy Reserve. The U.S.S. Cowpens "The Mighty Moo" was launched in 1943 and served through the remainder of the war. She then was put into reserve in 1946, and decommissioned in 1947. There are some signs of water exposure, not uncommon for a naval example, but it is in overall very good condition, with some areas of darkening and cracking.
Overall two great examples of an iconic knife used in WWII, with loads of history and research potential. No collection of World War II US military knives is complete without a Mark 1, and this is the perfect opportunity to acquire a set of two named to the same officer.
Dimensions (Geneva Forge):
Blade length: 5”
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie"
Overall length: 9 5/8”
Crossguard: 1 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 6 1/2 + Belt Frog
Dimensions (Camillus):
Blade length: 5”
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie"
Overall length: 9 5/8”
Crossguard: 1 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 5 1/2 + Belt Frog
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