Posted 4 years ago
Mfinger1965
(1 item)
I have a Ka Bar knife that I picked up in college in 1985. It has been sitting in a plastic storage tub since 1987 and is in the original condition I received it in. I never used it or sharpened it. Can you more experienced collectors tell me more about this piece? It has USMC on one side and KA-BAR stamped on the other. The handles appears and feels like leather that has been scored for a better grip.
Thanks for any information you can share.
Theres 3 main things to look at..
The Stamps(lettering), the tang and pommel.
Check both these links and compare your knife. You will have to read the 2nd link.
https://officialkabar.wordpress.com/historical-information/ka-bar-tang-stamps/
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/viewtopic.php?t=56061
Looks likely it is WWII issue but I would have to do more research.
Yes, this is the original K-bar Marine fighting knife from WW2. There were only (if I recall correctly) around 100,000 produced before they changed the store to what we're more familiar with today. Some key distinguishing details are, first, with the original, the tang is flat, rather than curved slightly. The leather rings of the hilt are individually wrapped, as opposed to the newer design. Great knife.