USMC M1923 Cartridge Belt Ka-Bar sheath attachment method

I know that the Ka-Bar sheath could be slipped over the pistol belt for Marines who were issued a carbine, pistol, or crew-served weapon, but how did a WWII Marine rifleman who was issued a Springfield or Garand carry his Ka-Bar sheath on the M1923 cartridge belt? I can't see how the sheath could be slipped over the ammo pockets; also, there doesn't seem to be enough space between the pockets for the belt loop of the sheath.

I know that some Marines carried Ka-Bars in Vietnam strapped or taped to the vertical suspenders of their web gear, but I've never seen this in WWII photos.

All information appreciated.

Perhaps remove the adjustable back belt piece and attach it there?

Dimitri

This Marine with a Garand still used a pistol belt and not a cartridge belt.

Same here. Perhaps they used bandoleers to carry the ammo? By the way, both of these photos were taken in Okinawa.

I've seen pictures of Soldiers/Marines with Garands, using the pistol belt, with the 8-round clips stuffed inside several M1 Carbine magazine carriers. I also saw a picture where the Marine, with the 10-pouch belt, stuffed the leather sheath and Ka-bar into his legging on his right ankle.

Great Pictures by the way! :bow:

I have a Kabar USMC fighting knife that has a standard web gear type metal belt hook passed thru the loop on the top of the scabbard. The scabbard is then stitched across just below the hook. That keeps the hook at the top of the scabbard. The scabbard can then be attached to any kind of web belt that has eyelets.

Garand may have been switched for photo op. Notice carbines beside the guy with the Garand.

Have you guys tried it? The leather scabbard fits over the buckle and empty ammo pouches to the spot you want then you leave that pouch empty. If you look at the lead man in Gunbarrel's photo you can see the cartridge belt. I have a K bar with the fiber scabbard and it doesn't have a belt hook. Had it since it was issued to me by Recon Pl on board the USS Alamo. Was yours done special Tom?

Yeah, the leather scabbard I have was modified using a G.I. belt hook.

Dimitri is right...many marines just slipped the adjustable back strap out of the pocketed section of the belts...slipped the MK2 sheath over the pistol belt width webbing strap and then refitted the ammo pocketed section of the belt and voila...kabar knife fitted to cartridge belt.

Regards

Lloyd

My WWII USN KaBar has a fiberglas sheath with a belt loop.