3 Military Ka-Bars acquired. Need help with ID

I got to admit that I don't understand the nature of your question. But, yes I know what the color Ox-blood refers to. The four knives I pictured in post #9 are all ox-blood in actual color expect for the first version Utica.
You make reference to Frank Trzaska's 2005 article via Gary Cunningham's post on another forum. I don't believe that anything I said earlier is in contradiction with what either of them has said.
 
sac troop said:
I got to admit that I don't understand the nature of your question. But, yes I know what the color Ox-blood refers to. The four knives I pictured in post #9 are all ox-blood in actual color expect for the first version Utica.
You make reference to Frank Trzaska's 2005 article via Gary Cunningham's post on another forum. I don't believe that anything I said earlier is in contradiction with what either of them has said.
Click to expand...

My mistake. I was getting two posts confused. Another poster said that the "Oxblood" sheaths were dyed black on the front in the early sixties. Obviously, the sheaths being dyed in 1963 were the standard tan leather that were still in supply from WWII. Sorry for the confusion.
 
No problem. I thought that from the earlier posts that we were coming from a similar direction. I agree about some of the WW2 era sheaths and first version Utica sheaths getting dyed. Whether it was just the front or the whole thing I think was down to the individual in most cases. As far as leather goods in the U.S. supply system being changed from a lighter more natural color to black, that was happening back at least as early as the 1950's. IMHO, by the 60's I would think most of the earlier gear in the supply system had probably been issued by then. Still I can say from personal experience that even in the mid 70's black leather dye was something that was always available in the PX/BX system everywhere I was sent.

IMHO, I think that the ox-blood color was close enough to an actual black that it wasn't often an issue with anyone. Not saying it never happened, but I think it was the exception and not the rule. Heck the Jet Pilot Survival Knives sheaths from that period of time are mostly found in their original natural colors. For some reason or coincidence the ones I've had that were dyed black had been sewn into a survival vest at sometime.
 
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