OK, here is my first go at asking the old question........'can anyone tell me about this K-BAR?'. So, can anyone give me some info about this knife that I picked up on Sunday please? I was hoping it was a Vietnam War era weapon but I'm now thinking it is WW2. If it is WW2 then is there any possibility that this version could have been used in the Vietnam War? It doesn't matter as I can stick it in with my WW2 British Commando knives and extend the collection to include American weapons!

Another shot:

And.............

Ooooh, another view!

And yet another angle, albeit a wee bit blurred!

And the final shot of the sheath. I'm aware that the sheath and knife may not have started life together and seeing the knife looks a little more worn than the sheath I'm pretty sure they've been 'married' at a later date.

well baby--- the blade appears to be ww2. as for the sheath not sure but, my guess is ww2.

Costa - Many thanks

I would say mid war WW2 MK2 USN Navy Kabar.The stampings on the blade were later placed on the cross guard.The E57 could reffer to a section on the ship or a inventory control number is another possibility.

 

RON

Ron - Brilliant, thank you very much. I'd take it, by the mention of mid-WW2, that there is no way this weapon (or one of similar date) would have gone to Vietnam?

It's a 1943 production US Navy Mark 2 in the russet brown stitched and staped scabbard used by both the Navy and Marines during WW2.

 

Yes.....it's entirely possible it saw service in Viet Nam. Many of these were left over from WW2 and saw service throughout the 1950's and '60's.

Greg - Thank you for the clarification and the nod towards Vietnam use. I don't want to pass it off as a genuine Vietnam issue but use it as a representation of what was used in that war. Once again, many thanks.

It's a 1943 production US Navy Mark 2 in the russet brown stitched and staped scabbard used by both the Navy and Marines during WW2.

 

Yes.....it's entirely possible it saw service in Viet Nam. Many of these were left over from WW2 and saw service throughout the 1950's and '60's.

 

Was there even an issue KA-BAR during the Vietnam War?

Greg - Thank you for the clarification and the nod towards Vietnam use. I don't want to pass it off as a genuine Vietnam issue but use it as a representation of what was used in that war. Once again, many thanks.

 

I own a "1st pattern" Robeson Navy Mk 2.....the one with red spacer made early in 1943 with '43 dated scabbard.....so an early WW2 piece. And it has a Marine's name and service number on the scabbard that dates it to being used in the late 1960's.

Was there even an issue KA-BAR during the Vietnam War?

 

Absolutely....UTICA, CAMILLUS, and CONETTA all made knives of the "k-bar" pattern during the Viet Nam war. Similar to the WW2 version but with darker color leather and different markings.

Was there even an issue KA-BAR during the Vietnam War?

 

 

I have seen the WW2 issue navy MKII knives being still in use during Viet Nam.I saw four of them in a UDT/SEAL group when I was a kid.Aldso had a local guy who was a Navy salvage diver and he had one also.All Were WW2 with grey plastic scabbards.I figure they issued them out of old stock.

 

Most of the others you will see are the Connetta or Camillius contracts made pieces as far as I know

 

RON

I have seen the WW2 issue navy MKII knives being still in use during Viet Nam.I saw four of them in a UDT/SEAL group when I was a kid.Aldso had a local guy who was a Navy salvage diver and he had one also.All Were WW2 with grey plastic scabbards.I figure they issued them out of old stock.

 

Most of the others you will see are the Connetta or Camillius contracts made pieces as far as I know

 

RON

 

I still have mine. The sheath is cracked from sitting on it while working on the boats, but the blade is sharp and clean.

Well, thanks for the info everyone! I'm much obliged to you all, you've been very helpful.