Description
Original World War II era US Navy early issue of Mark I Utility knife with original early-war production all-leather scabbard. This MK1 was manufactured early in the war by the US-based Herman Boker & Co. plant located in Maplewood, NJ. Boker & Co. produced a limited quantity of MK1s; a hard to find maker these days. This is Boker’s standard war-time production with a black Bakelite pommel as aluminum was needed for the aviation industry. This type is illustrated on pages 6 and 9 in KNIVES OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY WORLD WAR II book by Michael W. Silvey – a well-established expert an author of many books on the subject of US military edged weapons (see the scan attached). Relatively common type, but hard in good condition since most of the these early MK1 knives were used as intended, were broken, lost, or fell apart from contact with salt water.
The knife is about 9-3/40″ / 24.7 cm overall; the blade is about 5-1/8″ / 13 cm. The blade has been slightly re-sharpened; it’s razor-sharp still; the tip is intact; no edge nicks or dings on the spine . Stacked leather washers, iron guard and black Bakelite pommel handle. A few typical contact marks on the pommel are noted for accuracy; leather washers handle is tight; the guard has a tiny bit of a play. Ricasso is stamped H. BOKER & CO / U.S.A. on one side. Original leather scabbard is in great condition, considering the age. The keeper and all original stitching/rivets are intact; the leather is soft and supple still. It looks like the front has been painted black as the back side is all-brown. I simply don’t know if this was done in the field to better bland-in in the dark or this scabbard was initially manufactured this way. Either way, this rare Boker MK1 type is hard to find in any condition nowadays; don’t miss your chance to add it to your collection!
This original WW2 Boker MK1 fighting knife has not been cleaned or tampered with in any way; it is in 100% original “as is” condition. These are the actual photos; spent brass is not included with the knife 😉 I have a few more vintage American and European knives, as well as WW2 era combat knives and bayonets, scarce WW1 and WW2 fighting daggers and trench knives from other countries available for sale – please take a look in our Militaria section.
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