UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS KABAR MARK II
UTILITY/FIGHTING KNIFE – EARLY PATTERN BLUED BLADE,
BLADE MARKED, USMC STENCILED SHEATH: One of the
most evocative edged weapons of World War Two, these
United States Marine Corps Mark II Knives conjure up
vivid images of the brutal amphibious assaults and the
ensuing individual level of combat endured by the
Marines during the war in the Pacific. This early World
War Two production Mark II Utility and Fighting Knife
and Scabbard has survived in respectable condition with
many of the desirable features sought by collectors.
Manufactured by Kabar, of Olean, New York for the Marine
Corps and so marked respectively on each side of the
blade, this knife features a full form blade which still
retains some the original blued finish. The blue finish
remains in the hollows and protected areas, having worn
away on the high points where it bore against the
leather scabbard. The “USMC” and maker’s stamps are
very legible and clear, and the blade shows no sign of
heavy sharpening and the edge is smooth. The guard is
full form with no wear or damage. The leather grip is
in excellent condition having no chips or wear spots in
the leather and retaining the sharp edges to the
concentric rings. The pommel cap is the large or wide
edged pattern, has a plum brown color and is peened in
place on the blade tang without the cross pin of the
later model.
The original scabbard has seen enough wear that the
maker’s stamp - “USMC”, “BOYT”, and the date – has worn
away, but a bit of an imprint can still be discerned
where it was applied. The face of the body of the
scabbard has a hand applied stencil in black ink, “U S M
C” lettered vertically – probably applied by the Marine
who carried this blade. The scabbard is in full form
with no breaks or tears, and the seam is intact. The
retaining strap has seen the expected use, but is intact
with a functional brass snap closure. The leather
surface is smooth and live with no crazing or flaking,
and shows just enough use to speak of having “been
there” rather than having waited out the war on a shelf
in a Navy Yard supply depot warehouse.
This is very nice US Marine Corps Mark II that was
obviously used in the field, and as a complete set, will
make a fine addition to your collection. (0628) $375
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