Original U.S. WWII Private Purchase Fighting Knife by KA-BAR in Leather Sheath - Chromed

Original Item: Only one Available. Union Cutlery of Olean, N.Y. is a storied maker of edged weapons, and made many fighting knives for the U.S. Government during the WWII Period and afterwards. They helped design the legendary U.S.N Mk2 "KA-BAR" knife, which is still produced and in use by the military to this day. However, KA-BAR is not the name or model of the knife, but actually a trademark of Union Cutlery, supposedly stemming from a letter where a customer stated he could "KILL A BAR" with it. The name stuck, and after WWII the popularity of the KA-BAR knives used in the military caused Union Cutlery to officially change its name to "KA-BAR."

This is a very nice chromed private purchase fighting knife, which was part of Union Cutlery's "KA-BAR" line of knives. It is a bit smaller than the legendary "KA-BAR" MK2, and has a chromed fullered blade. The grip is shaped more along the lines of an M3 Fighting knife or M4 bayonet, but it still has the iconic round pommel. It has a single-edged clip-point blade, the same style as the MK2, but scaled down.

The knife is marked on the top of the crossguard with the standard commercial marking:

KA-BAR
OLEAN N.Y.

Condition of the knife is good due to the chroming, but it does show age and use, with verdigris on the fittings. The metal components have all been chromed with the pommel suffering the most with worn edges. The blade is still in great shape, and is quite sharp, with little sign of use. The grip has all of the leather washers, and there are red bakelite spacers next to the crossguard and pommel. Just a great example of a private purchase knife.

The included leather scabbard is similar to the ones used for the Mk1 and Mk2 Navy knives, made of multiple pieces of leather stitched and riveted together. It has a lovely aged red brown color, with some oxidation on the rivets, and is initialed on the back with H.S.. The securing strap is present, though unfortunately one side has broken off so it no longer snaps shut.

A great privately purchased "KA-BAR" brand knife from Union Cutlery, complete with scabbard and ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 6"
Blade Style: Clip-point "Bowie" Style
Overall length: 10 5/8“
Crossguard: 2”
Scabbard Length: 6 5/8" with Belt Loop