WW2 USMC KA BAR or Post War KA BAR

Thank you for confirming what I thought was correct. I recently helped a friend sell his collection of German and Japanese bayonets along with a Ground Rohm SA Dagger and a US PAL M3 fighting knife, included in the collection was this USMC KA BAR. I told him that I wanted this because my dad was a WWII Marine Corp Vet and that I would pay him a fair reduced price for all the time I had over the past months on the computer, phone, light cleaning and shipping. As I was pricing this one out, I came across one being sold by an antique dealer that was identical and was listed as a Post WWII era KA BAR. The only difference I could see was the Snap was on the opposite side of the sheath. After some more digging, I came across some information in another Post on this forum that had an image from the "US Military Knives Bayonets & Machetes book III by M.H. Cole". explaining the differences of the blade marked KA BARs but not the sheaths. I'm definitely at ease, knowing it is correct.
Thanks Again, your knowledge is greatly appreciated.
 
You're quite welcome! Cole has some mistakes. Frank Trzaska's Military Knife site has better US military knife info.
 
I think it's a seventh & last gen WW2 Mk2 also called the fat handle USMC Ka-Bar. That's an 80+ year old knife and FWIW, do yourself a favor and saddle soap the handle every so often to keep the leather washers hydrated and to prevent shrinkage. I also use light colored neatsfoot oil on my leather handles. I would also oil or wax the blade as well to keep any condensation and ultimately corrosion off the blade, guard and pommel. And lastly put some kind of leather preservative like mink oil or light colored neatsfoot oil on the sheath to keep it from shrinking and cracking. It might darken it but I'd rather have a dark supple leather than dried up and cracking leather. Just my $0.02.
 
Nice knife, love the short ricasso on the ww2 KA-BAR knives.

It’s in fantastic condition. Looks unused.
 
Do not use saddle soap or neats foot oil on the handle, either will cause discoloration and the neats foot will soften the leather. Better to use a wax base preservative. Ditto on the sheath.
 
I have recently won a KA-BAR in an auction and I would like to know what I have, so I’m coming here for help. I’ll post the one picture I have here, but it isn’t much, so I’m coming here for help. For starters, the knife looks new, so I can tell right off the bat it’s not one of the old WWII ones, unfortunately.
1. It has a dark brown leather handle with a black 7 inch blade.
2. It is serrated on the first couple of inches.
3. On one side above the hand guard it is stamped KA-BAR over OLEAN NY
4. On the other side it is stamped USMC
5. There are no markings on the blade itself.
6. I cannot find this specific knife for sale on the
KA-BAR website anywhere.

https://imgur.com/a/6kYkfrV

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Mike
 
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Mike105 said:
I have recently won a KA-BAR in an auction and I would like to know what I have, so I’m coming here for help. I’ll post the one picture I have here, but it isn’t much, so I’m coming here for help. For starters, the knife looks new, so I can tell right off the bat it’s not one of the old WWII ones, unfortunately.
1. It has a dark brown leather handle with a black 7 inch blade.
2. It is serrated on the first couple of inches.
3. On one side above the hand guard it is stamped KA-BAR over OLEAN NY
4. On the other side it is stamped USMC
5. There are no markings on the blade itself.
6. I cannot find this specific knife for sale on the
KA-BAR website anywhere.

https://imgur.com/a/6kYkfrV

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Mike
Click to expand...
What you have here is a Model 1218 made between 1997-2013.
Hope this helps :thumbsup:
 
Billabong01 said:
What you have here is a Model 1218 made between 1997-2013.
Hope this helps :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Yes, that is exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you for your help! I was mainly just wanting to make sure that I have a real KA-BAR and not a knock-off. The auction company is reputable and I don’t think they would sell fakes. One more question, is this one that was issued to USMC members and/or sold on military installations, or is this strictly a civilian model?
 
Mike105 said:
Yes, that is exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you for your help! I was mainly just wanting to make sure that I have a real KA-BAR and not a knock-off. The auction company is reputable and I don’t think they would sell fakes. One more question, is this one that was issued to USMC members and/or sold on military installations, or is this strictly a civilian model?
Click to expand...
Technically they are all 'civilian' models as Ka-Bar has not had a military contract since 1945.
Not 'issue' as such as these knives are readily available from just about everywhere, as every man and their dog sells them; including military bases/Post Exchanges as private purchases.
I've seen 'unit' purchases mentioned as well, this is where someone would buy a small number for his/her unit.

The Ontario model 498 was the 'issue' kabar style knife(since 1980) along with those made by Camillus(since 1960ish)
The modern Ka-bar knife has a NSN, including your model 1218, so this could be seen as 'issue' if bought through military supply.
This is my understanding anyway, and may be incorrect as others will know more about that than I.
Glad to help in any way as that is what we are here for, to share and learn. :thumbsup:
 
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