Will the REAL 1255 please stand up? Kabar recycles :)

zzyzzogeton

zzyzzogeton

Joined
Feb 17, 2013
Messages
6,167
:)Well, this is an example of why some collectors go bald, from tearing their hair out over frustration, not just genetics.

These all the Model number 1255 assigned to them.
I believe the top knife, a 10" OAL high carbon steel hunter, was produce from the mid-60s to the early 70s.
I believe the middle knife, an 8" OAL stainless steel rigging knife, was produced during the late 70s to early 80s.
The bottom knife is the current production 1255, the 9-3/8" tanto combo shorty, has been in production since around 2000-2001 (at least that what a pdf I have indicates).

As, an aside, the 1255 Rigging knife was also produced as the model 1325. I have one of those somewhere, but apparently I did not put it in the box my inventory tracker says it's supposed to be in. :(

OKB - Could you somehow confirm production dates for the various 1255s?

Kabar 1255 three knives.jpg
 
I'm not sure what Union Cutlery called it, but when Union made this for the B.S.A. in the period 1937-1939 (or 1940), B.S.A. called it the Model No. 1555.


And it is stainless.
 
Thomas Linton said:
I'm not sure what Union Cutlery called it, but when Union made this for the B.S.A. in the period 1937-1939 (or 1940), B.S.A. called it the Model No. 1555.


And it is stainless.
Click to expand...



Thomas, I found this in Joseph Kerr’s (600 Scout Knives), Union Cutlery’s Ka-Bar 1555

•••••SEA SCOUTS UNDER KA-BAR TRADEMARK•••••
(Information duplicated in Chapter 7 on Official Explorer Knives.)
KAB11BS 4.00" (8.00" overall) 1-Blade Ka-Bar Sheath Knife/Marlinspike (275 P)
The 1939 catalog lists broad 8.0" sheath knife (BSA#1555) with a 5.50" marlinspike in a single
sheath for Sea Scouts. Named the "Voyageur" model. MB(M): OFFICIAL<>KNIFE/BOY<FC>SCOUTS/OF<>
AMERICA/<blank line>/VOYAGEUR. Sheepfoot blade, cocobola wood handle with 3 rivets, hole in
handle for thong. Apparently only made 1937 to 1939. SHEATH: 9-rivet, two section, wide design,
loop at top, BSA stamp (wording known). Points to observer's right. Judging from non-BSA models
the BSA MB(M) may have CARBON KA-BAR CHROME. The inspected non-BSA sheath was 5-rivet with KA-BAR
stamp on 7.50"x2.50" leather with 3.75" belt loop opening. [H3740]
KAB12BS 4.00" (8.00?" overall) 1-Blade Ka-Bar Sheath Knife/Marlinspike (250 P)
A replacement model with drop-point became BSA#1555 with a 5.50" marlinspike in a single sheath
for Sea Scouts. Named the "Voyageur" model. Cocobola wood handle. Apparently made 1940 to 1942,
in 1941 catalog. SHEATH: Two section, slim design, BSA stamp (wording unknown). Probably 4-rivet,
points to observer's right. [H4042]

If I'm reading the above correctly it looks like your's is the earlier version.
 
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