Help ID Old Ka Bar please

[Col Defender]

Hi

I picked up this old Ka Bar hunting knife today. Hoping someone can tell me something about how old it is, what model, and anything else about its history. On on side of the ricasso it says K A B A R and on the other it says Union Cutlery Co., Olean N.Y.





Also since I am not an experienced collector of old knives, tell me please how aggressive can I be in cleaning it up without destroying any collector's value it may have. I'd like to improve its appearance but don't want to do anything dumb in the process. Any ideas as to whether this is the original sheath?

Last question - would it be a mistake to use it? Like to field dress a deer next season?

Thanks

Steve

 

[zzyzzogeton]

Hi

I picked up this old Ka Bar hunting knife today. Hoping someone can tell me something about how old it is, what model, and anything else about its history. On on side of the ricasso it says K A B A R and on the other it says Union Cutlery Co., Olean N.Y.





Also since I am not an experienced collector of old knives, tell me please how aggressive can I be in cleaning it up without destroying any collector's value it may have. I'd like to improve its appearance but don't want to do anything dumb in the process. Any ideas as to whether this is the original sheath?

Last question - would it be a mistake to use it? Like to field dress a deer next season?

Thanks

Steve

Don't know the model, but I believe it to be a late 20s to 30s hunting knife. Gunsil will probably be able to tell you it's birthday.

As far as cleaning goes, I NEVER try to polish them up trying to make them look like brand new. No pommel shot, but that age probably has a nut holding things tight, so replacing any busted leather disks would be easy. I just kill any active rust, keep 'em clean and oil them periodically. It's already a used knife. If you want to use it for cleaning a deer, raccoon, rabbit, whatever, I say go for it. My opinion is nothing you do to it will really hurt it's value, unless you use it for a pry bar, chisel or ice pick. If someone is looking for that pattern for their collection, as old as it is, someone will buy it, in case you ever decide to sell it.