??-Handled old KA-BAR Trapper

[NAFix]

Earlier I posted the followoing question about a recent find, but muddled it when I asked about a good guide for old folders. The responses about guides were helpful, but the guide suggested seems very hard to come by.
Here was the intro to what I was trying to find out:
I have a KA-BAR trapper that goes back before the Stylized logo font, just all caps as I typed it here, over OLEAN, NY on the tang. I guess it's the original "Old Timer's Trapper" that the newer Ka-Bars stamped with that slogan is talking about. I have no idea of the actual age or handle material. It's black and jigged, and feels like micarta, hard but somehow more "pliable" than bone or delrin. But there's no grain as in micarta. I think it may be the same material as in the old stand-by electrician's knife. Anyone have any idea what the material is? The jigging is different in that both handles have notches at ~eighth-inch intervals running the length of the top and bottom edges, I presume to improve grip. Any idea of age?
Thanx,
NAFix

 

[knifeaholic]

It's a synthetic material, simulating genuine bone.....it could be a hard rubber type material if it is more dull gray in color than black, and feels a little soft to the touch. If it is dark black, and hard/shiny, then it is plastic.

Your knife dates from circa WWII to the early 1950's, when the tang stamp was changed to KABAR in script letters, without the hyphen.

Value? If mint, maybe $75 to $100. Used, half of that or less depending on condition......older Kabars are desireable, but most collectors prefer real bone over the synthetics. I have a 1920's era green bone KA-BAR trapper in my collection, with full blade etch.....I estimate its value at $400.