EBS Posted June 18, 2020 Share #1 Posted June 18, 2020 I've been doing research on ww2 ka-bars and I wanted to ask a general question about this thing I've been seeing every once and a while where the grooves in the middle to the handle are super close to each other. Like only one leather washer separating them. An example of what Im talking about: Anyways, is this a red flag when looking for a ww2 ka-bar or is it something that just happened sometimes in the assembly process? Thanks a lot in advance! P.S: I know I've been asking a lot of questions, I hope I haven't been to pestering ya'll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted June 18, 2020 Share #2 Posted June 18, 2020 In and of itself I would not consider it a red flag. There are other, more obvious signs of a reproduction Ka-bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS Posted June 18, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted June 18, 2020 Thanks for the response, Thorin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS Posted June 18, 2020 Author Share #4 Posted June 18, 2020 I've seen a couple leather USN scabbards with no holes in the tips of them. Was this an occasional error in the manufacturing process? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedon Posted June 18, 2020 Share #5 Posted June 18, 2020 9 hours ago, EBS said: I've been doing research on ww2 ka-bars and I wanted to ask a general question about this thing I've been seeing every once and a while where the grooves in the middle to the handle are super close to each other. Like only one leather washer separating them. An example of what Im talking about: Anyways, is this a red flag when looking for a ww2 ka-bar or is it something that just happened sometimes in the assembly process? Thanks a lot in advance! P.S: I know I've been asking a lot of questions, I hope I haven't been to pestering ya'll. I am pretty sure the grooves are cut in the handle. I have a WWII KA-BAR guard marked USN Mark 2 with an extra groove. I think just a random problem in the groove cutting. More pictures of your knife would be helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedon Posted June 18, 2020 Share #6 Posted June 18, 2020 6 hours ago, EBS said: I've seen a couple leather USN scabbards with no holes in the tips of them. Was this an occasional error in the manufacturing process? If the sheath is a WWII sheath I think probably an error unless it is a 1-piece leather sheath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS Posted June 18, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted June 18, 2020 Thanks, Mike! Here is more pictures of the knife: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikedon Posted June 18, 2020 Share #8 Posted June 18, 2020 That is a WWII sheath, most are stamped Boyt / 43 under the keeper. Bill Walters states in his book, pages 367 & 369 that this is a rare variation sheath that is only stamped "U.S.N." on the throat. I attached some pictures of one of my KA-BAR knives like that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS Posted June 18, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted June 18, 2020 Thanks for the help, Mike. I'll be on the lookout for one of Bill's Books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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