Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a fantastic example of a US Navy PAL RH-37 Ka-bar style fighting knife in wonderful condition. The knife itself barely shows signs of any use and wear. Overall length is 12 inches. Blade has a clipped point and is marked U.S. NAVY on one side and RH PAL 37 on the other side. The grip is a classic stacked leather washer construction with plastic red and black washers at the top and bottom.

The leather sheath is in wonderful condition, with some personalization put on by the original owner, including his name (JIMMIE - PSIMARIS), U.S. NAVY and a cartoonish likeness of a Navy Fighter Aircraft in flight. All stitching and staples are still intact as is the retaining strap which still has the brass buttons present and functional.

During World War I, the company built the first of many firearm accessories, including a military pistol holster for the then-new Colt 1911 .45 pistol, along with cavalry saddle bags and harnesses for artillery and transport horses. After the war ended, Walter Boyt sold the company to his brother John and John’s three sons, Joseph Walter, Arthur John and Paul Alfred Boyt. They changed to name to The Boyt Harness Company and the next generation of Boyt brothers continued the tradition of making durable harnesses, saddles, bridles and tack for farmers and stockmen around the Midwest. And then war rocked the country again.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor started another shift in production for the war effort. From 1941-1945, Boyt produced millions of pieces of equipment destined for American offensives in both the European and Pacific theaters. The equipment was integral to the tens of thousands of teachers, farmers, office workers and tradesmen transformed into the largest standing fighting force in the nation’s history. The Boyt Harness Company knew some of those soldiers were local kids from the neighborhoods directly across the river from the Boyt facility.

This is a wonderful example of a US Navy marked PAL RH-37 “Kabar”, offered in lovely condition. Comes more than ready for display.

Specifications:
Blade Length: 7"
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie" Style
Overall length: 12 1/8“
Crossguard: 2 7/16”
Scabbard Length: 7 3/4" with Belt Loop

According to The Official Price Guide of Collector Knives by C Houston Price & Mark D Zaleysky, PAL was originally used as a trademark by the Utica Knife & Razor Company of Utica, NY from about 1924-1939. PAL marked knives of that era used blades imported from Germany, and the blades typically bore the word “Germany” as well. Another company using the name PAL was established in Chicago in 1934. This company was known as the Pal Blade Company of Chicago, and was started by Otto Kraus. In 1935 the two “PAL” companies merged into one, known simply as the PAL Blade Company, and opened a manufacturing facility in Plattsburg, NY. Around 1940 PAL purchased the cutlery division of the Remington Arms Company, including their existing stock of completed knives and knife parts.