The Post WW2 "k-bar"

[Greg Robinson]

Contrary to what a lot of collector believe there were no new USMC 1219c2's or Navy Mk 2's manufactured after WW2 until around 1960. At that time the spec was changed for markings on the blade to consist of "US" and maker mark on the blade. First post ww2 production was by UTICA CUTLERY. Their 1st production was essentially a WW2 pattern knife except for the new markings. Their 2nd production conformed to the early '60's spec requiring "oxblood" color shade leather hilt and scabbard with the hilt being coated with some sort of fungus retardant. And the nomenclature was changed. I'll have to find my notes on this but it was no longer just a Marine or Navy item...all services could purchase them.

 

Here are pics of the production by UTICA in the early '60's.

[Bob Hudson]

Thanks for this Greg. Today I came across my first UTICA CUT CO knife and since the Marine whose name is on it was in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, and i have never seen this mark before I wondered if it was some private purchase thing he'd picked up.