Ka-Bar USMC W double plate guard

[Zebs1]

Hi.
Any Ka-bar specialists here? My friend has a vintage Ka-Bar USMC knife. It seems to have a double guard. the guard is made of two plates. Ive had several Ka-bars from different eras but never seen one with this type of guard. The knife is av 1217 model. leather washers, thick two pin pommel. Its heavily used so the blade is blank without parkezied or paint. Ricasso has the Ka-bar stamp, other side has USMC stamp. The sheath is brown leather w staples (not rivets). I will post som pictures later today.
Anyone seen this before? Perhaps its customs, but it looks original.

Bests
Zeb

 

[Zebs1]

Hi.
Any Ka-bar specialists here? My friend has a vintage Ka-Bar USMC knife. It seems to have a double guard. the guard is made of two plates. Ive had several Ka-bars from different eras but never seen one with this type of guard. The knife is a 1217 model. leather washers, thick two pin pommel. Its heavily used so the blade is blank without parkezied or paint. Ricasso has the Ka-bar stamp, other side has USMC stamp. The sheath is brown leather w staples (not rivets).
Anyone seen this before? Perhaps its customs, but it looks original.

Best
/Zeb

 

[eveled]

I’ve never seen one like that before. It doesn’t look like it has been apart to me. But I can’t examine it closely. But it’s possible it is a factory error. It is not a ww2 knife. IMHO

 

[Zebs1]

I’ve never seen one like that before. It doesn’t look like it has been apart to me. But I can’t examine it closely. But it’s possible it is a factory error. It is not a ww2 knife. IMHO

Yes it could be a factory error. Its from 1980

 

[eveled]

thick two pin pommel.

I don’t understand 2 pin pommel.

It should have a blind pin that doesn’t go all the way through.

If it has a pin all the way through the knife has been apart. So it would not be a factory error.

 

[Zebs1]

I don’t understand 2 pin pommel.

It should have a blind pin that doesn’t go all the way through.

If it has a pin all the way through the knife has been apart. So it would not be a factory error.

I dont know if it goes all the way through. There are two pins (?) cicular markings on the pommel just like the one they are making now. Earlier, WW2, they used one. Only one circular marking on the pommel back then.

 

[eveled]

I’d have to see pictures of what you are describing, but it makes little difference since you know its not vintage.

With how banged up the pommel is, and with 2 pins it would be tough to convince a collector it has never been apart. So the double guard adds nothing to the knife.

 

[jbmonkey]

I’d have to see pictures of what you are describing, but it makes little difference since you know its not vintage.

With how banged up the pommel is, and with 2 pins it would be tough to convince a collector it has never been apart. So the double guard adds nothing to the knife.

I think hes saying pin on one side of pommel. pin on other side. making him think it's two, but it's likely just the same pin going through I see in his one pic, whats looks like a beaten up single pin. im leaning towards factory mistake.

 

[VorpelSword]

My rapidly devaluing 2 cents worth:

It is my considered opinion that the knife pictured is of the "Ka-Bar: design manufactured by one of the several governmental suppliers.

 

[eveled]

I think hes saying pin on one side of pommel. pin on other side. making him think it's two, but it's likely just the same pin going through I see in his one pic, whats looks like a beaten up single pin. im leaning towards factory mistake.

That is what I was thinking. But the pin should not go all the way through on a KA-BAR from 1980. They had one pin that went in from one side aka a blind pin.

Which is why I think it has been tampered with.

 

[jbmonkey]

That is what I was thinking. But the pin should not go all the way through on a KA-BAR from 1980. They had one pin that went in from one side aka a blind pin.

Which is why I think it has been tampered with.

sure, makes sense. who knows.

still weird to pull everything off to add a double guard and reassemble it though....

 

[Zebs1]

I’d have to see pictures of what you are describing, but it makes little difference since you know its not vintage.

With how banged up the pommel is, and with 2 pins it would be tough to convince a collector it has never been apart. So the double guard adds nothing to the knife.

I think its awsome, more sturdy and feels better w this thicker guard.

 

[Zebs1]

My rapidly devaluing 2 cents worth:

It is my considered opinion that the knife pictured is of the "Ka-Bar: design manufactured by one of the several governmental suppliers.

So some manufactures build it with this type of guard?

 

[John A. Larsen]

The knife is from the 80's as Zebs1 said, as a commemorative version? It was made by Ka-Bar as indicated by the stamping on the blade not by"one of several government suppliers". Double guard a mistake at the factory or deliberate to tighten up the handle? John

 

[Zebs1]

The knife is from the 80's as Zebs1 said, as a commemorative version? It was made by Ka-Bar as indicated by the stamping on the blade not by"one of several government suppliers". Double guard a mistake at the factory or deliberate to tighten up the handle? John

Thank you for input.
Ill take a deeper google search. Earlier I was member in the Fb-group, think it was called Ka-Bar a great fighting knife and all prepose tool. Now I cannot find that group. Pehaps its gone.