Information on WWII Ka-Bar

[roboadjuster]

I am trying to get any information on a Ka-Bar knife I recently obtained. Below is a link to the auction that I placed for it on eBay. There are about a dozen photos, I am most likely asking too much money for it, but I have had one offer of $10.00 with free shipping, which means after fees, I would net 65 cents. So I am asking the experts on this site for their guidance, thank you.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/22194931537...l?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=221949315373&_rdc=1

Again thank you in advance

 

[zzyzzogeton]

You need to be a gold or above member to ask about values, BUT that is a post-1978 Kabar 1219C2 reproduction, Kabar model #1217.

Tells- large, deep ricasso stamp, 3/8" pinned pommel and the blade/pommel coating. Also, none of the true WW2 1219C2 sheaths (or any true contract sheaths) had the MC EGA symbol on them.

Check tomarskabars for current NEW cost.

 

[roboadjuster]

Thank you, I had a feeling something was amiss when the owner could provide no provenance to the knife. I will adjust the listing and price accordingly, maybe the ridiculous offer was an alert for me to do more research,
thank you again.

 

[roboadjuster]

Hi- I just re-read your post, so this knife is also a reproduction? I guess I should have consulted this site prior to obtaining it,
thank you.

 

[orca8589]

Hi- I just re-read your post, so this knife is also a reproduction? I guess I should have consulted this site prior to obtaining it,
thank you.

That's okay, we all learn that way sometimes. It's obviously a well-used and well-loved knife, so while not worth the asking price, the appearance gives it a great character. You've got a knife that you can use, that at least has an interesting "story" behind it; unprovable, but interesting. It might someday inspire a child/friend/sibling of yours to study out who Rockey was. (I have an old worn out P-38 can opener that may have rode in the pocket of an Army Sergeant through his campaigns in Europe. No way to prove that for certain, but when I research the units he was a part of & where they'd been, he had quite a story to tell.)

I have several knives that are my "hard lesson" knives.

~Chris

 

[gunsil]

I think they started the new series in 1976. None of the re-issues have been government issue knives, and none of the original WW2 knives had KA-BAR or the USMC logo on them. A small number of WW2 sheaths did have Boyt 43 over USMC marked in the belt part of the sheath, but none were marked on the front of the sheath. This model is still being made. Sadly there are many of these knives on ebay advertised as WW2 knives and they are also seen advertised as such in antique stores and auctions. Like zzy says the main easy "tell" is the different wide deep stamping on the blade. The originals have the stamps in much thinner lettering. This is much easier to see right off the bat than the fat pinned pommel in many ebay photos.