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.
This knife is an excellent, field used example. All leather grip washers are intact and present, and it was made by the Camillus Cutlery Co. of Camillus, N.Y.. The plastic butt cap is in great shape and is loose on the grip, so the leather has shrunk while in storage. The knife measures 9 5/8" overall, with a 5" clip point blade. The blade is nicely marked U.S.N. MARK 1 on the ricasso and CAMILLUS / N.Y. on the reverse. The original factory black finish is retained at approximately 90%. The edge is still quite sharp so handle with caution.
The scabbard is the early MK 1 version, very similar in construction to the M8 scabbard for the M3 fighting knife, with a thermoplastic impregnated cotton fabric body, metal throat, and canvas frog and securing strap. The front of the throat is marked U.S.N / MK 1, and the rear is marked NORD - 6804 / B.M. Co. with a stylized V P logo. The NORD number is for the US Navy contract it was produced under, which was delivered between March 1945 and May 1945. It was manufactured by Beckwith Mfg Co. a division of Victory Plastics. Scabbard is in similar worn condition.
Overall a fantastic issued example of an iconic knife used in WWII. No collection of World War II US military knives is complete without a Mark 1.
Dimensions:
Blade length: 5”
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie"
Overall length: 9 5/8”
Crossguard: 1 3/4”
Scabbard Length: 6" + Belt Frog
- This product is available for international shipping.
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