Original U.S. WWII Navy USN Mark 1 Robeson ShurEdge No. 20 Fighting Knife with Mk1 Scabbard - Excellent

Original Item: Only One Available. The Navy MK1 knife was used as both a utility knife and a fighting weapon. While some undoubtedly saw combat, particularly with Naval Aviators, these blades were mostly used for everyday functions aboard ship and ashore. The Mark I knives were Navy issue throughout WW2 and remained in inventory through the Vietnam war. They were purchased in huge quantities so replacements were not needed for many years.

From a collecting standpoint the beauty of the Mark I knives is in the wide variety of makers and blades that can be found. As for values, like most things USGI blades are evaluated based on scarcity and condition.

This knife is an absolutely excellent example with all leather grip washers intact and present. It has an overall length of 9 5/8", featuring a 5 1/8" clip-point blade, which is in unissued condition. The edge still has the original factory grind full intact, with little to no sign of use and definitely no sharpening. The blade is nicely marked on the ricasso with U.S.N. M.K.1 on one side, and ROBESON ShurEdge No. 20 on the reverse.

The scabbard is the early MK 1 version, very similar in construction to the M8 scabbard for the M3 fighting knife, with a thermoplastic impregnated cotton fabric body, metal throat, and canvas frog and securing strap. The front of the throat is marked U.S.N / MK 1, and the rear is marked NORD - 8114 / B.M. Co. with a stylized V P logo. It was manufactured by Beckwith Mfg Co. a division of Victory Plastics. Scabbard is in excellent condition, the nicest we have seen.

Overall a great unissued example of an iconic knife used in WWII. No collection of World War II US military knives is complete without a Mark 1, and this is the perfect opportunity to acquire one with a great patina of age.

Dimensions:
Blade length: 5 1/8”
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie"
Overall length: 9 7/8”
Crossguard: 1 1/4”
Scabbard Length: 6" + Belt Frog