Original Item: This is a very nice service used example of the legendary "KA-BAR" fighting knife with a very nice leather sheath. Overall length of this Mark 2 knife is 12 inches, with a 7 inch clip-point blade. The markings on the blade are as follows:

This indicates manufacture by Ontario Knife Co. of Franklinville, New York. This company was not issued contracts until after the Vietnam War concluded, however the blade marking and straight crossguard are the typical style made during the war. Previously the knives would be marked specifically to the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps. After WWII, there was such a surplus that no additional orders for the knives were made until 1959. Union Cutlery / KA-BAR and Utica received the first orders, with Camillus receiving orders later. After this followed Conetta, MSI, and Ontario.

This knife features original black painted leather washer grip, which was a change made in 1966. Previously they had been painted a deep brown red "Ox Blood" finish, which was a "special" concoction of advanced fungicide devised by the military. The new Black finish had similar properties.

The handle is in very good condition, and it has a heavy steel pommel with cross pinned tang. The blade shows some wear to the finish, with most of it worn away around the edge. However, the factory grind marks can still be seen throughout the blade. The blade still has the original profile, though it has been sharpened a few times.

The leather sheath is the standard type used with the Mark 2, and is in very good used condition. It still has most of the original black painted finish, with light wear. All of the stitching and rivets are still intact, and it is structurally very sound. The securing strap is intact, and the snap is still functional. This is the typical pattern used during Vietnam, which is very close to the WWII pattern, and is still in use.

A Very good example of a post Vietnam service used KA-BAR knife, complete with scabbard. No collection is complete without one! Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 7"
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie" Style
Overall length: 12“
Crossguard: 2 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 8" with Belt Loop

More on the KA-BAR 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 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.