KBAR USMC?

[Darryl1964]

Garage sale find...
Year?
Condition/Grade/Quality?
Why doesn't mine have NY under Ka-Bar like others I see?
Today's value?

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Looks like a thick pommel peened...wish people wouldn't use power grinders to sharpen. When they don't know how to sharpen, a power tool doesn't help that lack of knowledge. Still nice find.

[Sentryduty]

I have seen those apprentice marks on more than a few valuable knives.

The on of the oddest ones was a Hitler youth knife in the fishing tackle box of a childhood friend. He needed something to gut fish and it was in "grandpa's" old things he said.

The blade was a mere toothpick of its former profile, expertly shaped on the bench grinder in the garage...

This otherwise nice Ka-Bar has similar experience I see. Careful work could see the marks polished out and appearance improved, but it can never really be restored.

I would give it a go and be happy with the results.

[browningautorifle]

I'll bet I could use machine paper and oil and get most of that out. I did it with a Krag bayonet that was identical. There'd be no finish left on the edge though.

[Darryl1964]

Thank You for the response!

Any idea of value or date of production?

[Drill Sergeant]

No way to determine the precise year. It is WWII ear Mark 2 US fighting knife. The Mark 2 was manufactured by various makers, however they have all become commonly known as the KA-BAR knife. They will be found marked U.S.M.C or U.S.N. and are either marked on the ricasso (as yours is) or on the guard. There were three variations made during the War.

Even though many have been mishandled with loss of collector value, they still make great camp or self-defense knives. Probably the most recognizable US edged weapon to come out of WWII.

Enjoy it!

[usabaker]

I've three I have my Grandfather's he carried in Saipan, tinian and then Guam during World War II and I have my fathers he carried during the Korean War and then one another one he got later while still serving that was Vietnam era. I think only the last was marked KA-BAR USN as I recall. I'd have to go pull all three out of the family footlocker. Oh all three of us were Navy Seabees