Carbon date my Kabar Please!

R

redmech

Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
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I understand this is the Becker Forum, hope no one minds. So here it goes.

Hey guys, this is the most knowelgeable place I know of to ask this. I have this Kabar MK2 knife, and am trying to find out its age, I was told by one it was WW2 vintage. I know there are a few Kabar employees here. I would really appreciate their opinions, all will be appreciated. I threw in a pic at the end of my BK2 and a ML knife is there also, and my BK2 sheath I had made for it. If this is WW2 vintage, it seems to be in decent shape. How many were made by Kabar? I know Robinson built some of the same design and there were a few other companies producing to keep up with the war effort. I guess I am asking so I should know to keep storing it my safe, or if its pretty common I'll get the safe queen out and put her to work. If it is WW2 vintage, which I want to believe it is, it just makes my mind run wild when I hold it, think of where it could have been or what it could have seen.

Thanks Ross,


bushcraft pics 003 by redmech, on Flickr


bushcraft pics 004 by redmech, on Flickr


bushcraft pics 006 by redmech, on Flickr


bushcraft pics 008 by redmech, on Flickr


bushcraft pics 009 by redmech, on Flickr


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bushcraft pics 002 by redmech, on Flickr


bushcraft pics 001 by redmech, on Flickr
 
Welcome, good to have ya! Good looking blades you got there. Hope you get it figured out, someone will be along shortly that can help more than I.
 
This is a good place to ask and hopefully someone comes along with knowledge to help, ill bump it to help ya out
 
Come on in and hang out with us. That's a good looking sheath for the BK-2, did you make it? Every time I see the GB mini it makes me want one too.
 
WWII era. I have an identical one made by Camillus. Still as strong as new! Get it out and use it!
 
The sheath was made by J Williams at bushcraftusa.com. Not sure what he goes by here, but I know he is here some. The hatchet is a Wetterlings, I sure do like it. Until you have owned a quality little hatchet like the GB or the Wetterlings. You just can't appreciate how nice it is to have around.
 
Does an old kabar like this have the same great warranty as the new ones? I figure it does, just thought I might ask. Anybody know what the numbers mean on the back of the sheath?

Thanks again guys,
 
tradewater said:
Come on in and hang out with us. That's a good looking sheath for the BK-2, did you make it? Every time I see the GB mini it makes me want one too.
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+100, this!!!!
 
Not 100%, but if I had to guess, I would say what you have there is a later version of the 1219C2 or something. Thin, pinned pommel, like the one shown here:

f101.jpg


Looks like they did this model with the stamped guard from 1944-1945 or so, made a ton of em, but switched back to stamping blade shortly after.

As far as the sheath, not too sure about all that stuff, but the VP stands for Victory Plastics, B.M. Co would be who assembled it, and there is some speculation that the NORD # is the contract number between the company and the Navy.
 
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Thanks Derek, I read somewhere that the early pommels were threaded on, this one is pinned. Thanks for the info. Are these common or collectible?
 
Murphnuge said:
Welcome, good to have ya! Good looking blades you got there. Hope you get it figured out, someone will be along shortly that can help more than I.
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More help? You didn't offer any help Murph...

As for the knife, I believe the production numbers were obscene, if I remember correctly so many were required that 4 or so manufacturers were pumping out "Kabars" to support the troops. There is no doubt a rich history and story behind each one that is still around. As for specifics, looks like DerekH gave some insight and I'm sure more info will surface.
 
redmech said:
Thanks Derek, I read somewhere that the early pommels were threaded on, this one is pinned. Thanks for the info. Are these common or collectible?
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This particular one appears to have been common, even with such a short production time. Still a good example of a great knife, but not worth much as a collectible.
 
I'm working on it, I don't want to say anything until I'm sure.

Mooose
 
Is the handle round or ovaled? I can't tell in the pic.

Moose
 
Its appears to be a Kabar made, sometime between 1943-1950. There are so many of them made during that time frame, there is really no way to know when it was made exactly. Original packaging had lot numbers, and that would allow the full heritage to be researched, but, I'm pretty sure that is gone to the sands of time by now.

The smaller ricasso looks like the knives made during that timespan, with roll marking on the quillions. It later went to the ricasso, after production slowed, and more refinements could be made to the tooling process.

The sheath was as Derek Stated.

Toooj, if I'm wrong, let me know.

Moose
 
Moose, thanks a million. If there is anything you need to know about heavy duty mobile mining equipment, I'll be glad to help out. I just couldn't find out enough info on this to please myself. If you owned this knife would you take it out and use it? Just some basic woods use, light batoning.

Thanks for the info,
 
Use it and be proud of it. Batoning...only if your technique is perfect on every swing. We've seen alot of these Kabars bend with repeated "abuse."

For what it's worth, I love these old Kabars. Thanks for posting.
 
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