bdome Posted March 19, 2019 Share #1 Posted March 19, 2019 Hello everyone! I'm new to the forum but thought I'd post pics of what I think is a WWII Union Cutlery KA-BAR that I purchased over the weekend. I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on this knife and what it might sell for in your area. Thanks for any input! Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdome Posted March 19, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted March 19, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdome Posted March 19, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted March 19, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdome Posted March 19, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted March 19, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted March 19, 2019 Share #5 Posted March 19, 2019 No idea about actual specifics as I'm just looking at blades. However . . . super cool find! One day, I hope to get one like this. I think they are super cool! Enjoy your fun find! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdome Posted March 19, 2019 Author Share #6 Posted March 19, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted March 19, 2019 Share #7 Posted March 19, 2019 It's the real deal. Nice get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted March 19, 2019 Share #8 Posted March 19, 2019 Couldn't tell you anything about its age or value but it's one nice looking knife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedon Posted March 19, 2019 Share #9 Posted March 19, 2019 Your knife is the final KA-BAR - USMC 1219c2 variation made during WWII. It has the thin pinned pommel, small "USMC", and dark Parkerized blade finish. It has the "fat" handle but there are some with a thinner flat handle and different groove spacing. I attached a few pictures showing the different handle. Your knife has the correct sheath. Nice knife! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedon Posted March 19, 2019 Share #10 Posted March 19, 2019 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedon Posted March 19, 2019 Share #11 Posted March 19, 2019 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted March 19, 2019 Share #12 Posted March 19, 2019 mikedon (or anyone who might see this!) . . . since you know these knives ( ), I have a question for you! What is the difference in them that makes the OP's knife have an almost black handle and the two you posted have very medium wood toned handles? I've been wondering that for a while now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedon Posted March 19, 2019 Share #13 Posted March 19, 2019 I believe handling them over time. The more they are handled or used the darker the leather handle gets. Sometimes a preservative of some type or oil gets put on the leather handle and it darkens even faster. The handle on the KA-BAR in the picture has not been handled hardly any at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted March 19, 2019 Share #14 Posted March 19, 2019 Oh . . . that is super interesting! Thanks ever so much! So, If you got a lighter handle . . . if you handled it a bunch, it would darken to that almost black look? How interesting! Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedon Posted March 19, 2019 Share #15 Posted March 19, 2019 Oh . . . that is super interesting! Thanks ever so much! So, If you got a lighter handle . . . if you handled it a bunch, it would darken to that almost black look? How interesting! Thanks for sharing! I believe so, especially if it was handled over many years with dirty oily hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdome Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share #16 Posted March 20, 2019 Thank you for the feedback! Any idea what these go for in your neck of the woods? I paid $175 for mine but have no idea how that compares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted March 20, 2019 Share #17 Posted March 20, 2019 Most likely your knife was made in 1944. The last one I bought in the same condition cost me $110, but that was 5 years ago. Your cost isn't out of line, but at the upper end, in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdome Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share #18 Posted March 20, 2019 Most likely your knife was made in 1944. The last one I bought in the same condition cost me $110, but that was 5 years ago. Your cost isn't out of line, but at the upper end, in my opinion. Thank you for the feedback! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted March 20, 2019 Share #19 Posted March 20, 2019 Oh . . . that is super interesting! Thanks ever so much! So, If you got a lighter handle . . . if you handled it a bunch, it would darken to that almost black look? How interesting! Thanks for sharing! Have a couple early red spacer knives Im sure have seen salt water or been real wey in general.The handles are almost black in color from being wet or treated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDC Posted April 11, 2019 Share #20 Posted April 11, 2019 I have one just like yours that I bought on eBay for around $80 three years ago. Yours is in a bit better condition than mine, the sheath even more so. Nice piece! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now