Original Item: Only One Available. This is an incredible example of a “New Old Stock” Navy SEAL and Underwater Demolition Team dive knife! Made in 1961 by the Imperial Knife Company under contract to the US Navy, this knife was specifically for Divers working with or around magnetically detonated underwater mines like the MK56. This knife is made of Haynes Alloy no. 25 which is a copper-chromium-tungsten-nickel alloy similar to Stellite. It is non-magnetic, non-sparking and non-rusting even in seawater, yet unlike many other non-ferrous metals like the titanium used in Mission Knives it has the ability to be hardened to allow it to hold a cutting edge with a Rockwell C scale value of 53 to 54 which is per the final Naval specification.

This is a 1961 US Navy SEAL and UDT knife made by Imperial Knife Company. According to the collectors reference book, “The Best Of US Military Knives”, Bayonets and Machetes by M.H Cole - "it is the rarest U.S military issue knife ever made", with only about 1,156 of them being produced. Because of their non-magnetic / non-sparking / non-corrosive properties they were only issued mission-specific, not handed out to every SEAL or UDT personnel. This particular one has a low serial number, #1046.

The description from the reference book is as follows: "Type: Put in. Blade: 187mm (7-3/8 inch) in length. Double-edged dagger form blade with one plain sharp edge and one serrated edge (52 teeth, 9 tpi). Blade is non-magnetic and non-sparking, made from hot rolled tungsten cobalt alloy (Haynes Alloy No. 25) with a parkerized non-reflective, light grey finish.

Inscription: 2-1/2 inch stainless steel (type 310). Cross-guard marked U.S. NONMAGNETIC (with non-magnetic symbol); Serial No. 1046/61 Imperial. Later batches have an additional code number and no maker's name. Sheath: Made of grey plastic fiberglass and non ferrous alloy with webbing and two brass studded retaining loops. Sheath is marked: U.S. NONMAGNETIC (with non-magnetic symbol) Imperial. 1981 and 1983 contract scabbards are marked slightly differently. Handle: 4-1/2 inch grey plastic fibreglass handle capped with a pinned stainless steel (type 310) pommel. Remarks: This non-magnetic knife was issued to the U.S. Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) and navy SEALS. Around 1,156 of these Imperial knives were ordered in 1961 at a cost of $99.67 each. Later batch quantities are very low by comparison. It is the rarest of the U.S. military issue knives".

The knife is in wonderful condition and aside from tests it appears to have never been used and would be considered in “new old stock” condition. While researching this knife, we discovered a few currently listed for sale on the internet, all with prices exceeding $2,000 USD, making this an exceptional offering!

Comes more than ready for further research and display.