Description
Nice WW2 era US Navy Mark I fighting/utility knife with original GI-signed early-issue leather scabbard; this set is in rare practically unused condition – very rare as such. Manufactured during the war by Camillus Cutlery in Camillus, NY. This type is illustrated on pages 7-9 of 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 book’s scans attached). The majority of these all MK1 utility knives were used as intended during the war, so most got worked to death, were lost, or simply fell apart from the abuse and contact with the seawater. Not surprisingly finding a well-preserved MK1 specimen is pretty hard nowadays.
This Mark I is the typical Camillus’ mid-war era production specimen with a black Bakelite pommel – early aluminum pommels went away due to the wartime ban on the use of strategic metals for the “non-essential” products. The knife is in excellent overall condition and looks unused – no dings or chips on the pommel; “thater-dressed” stacked leather washers with thin clear Plexiglas spacers handle is solid with zero movement; wide steel guard is nice and tight. Leather washers are in great condition without the typical “saltwater rot” so many of the WW2 era USN knives are suffering from. Ricasso is sharply stamped CAMILLUS N.Y. on one side and U.S.N. on the other. The knife is about 9-1/2″ / 24.2 cm overall; blued blade is about 5″ /12.7 cm long, original factory edge is razor-sharp; the tip is intact. Original early-issue all-leather scabbard is in great shape, considering the age. The leather is soft and supple; all original rivets and stitching are intact; this scabbard is in 100% serviceable condition still. The name KOCH is hand-cut on the front panel; there is some faint handwriting below the name but it’s barely readable and I can’t make it out. In spite of its advanced age, this original WW2 Camillus MK1 utility-fighting knife is in 100% serviceable condition still; you will not be disappointed.
This attractive WW2 Camillus MK1 utility-fighting knife with unusual”theater” handle and original scabbard has not been cleaned or tampered with in any way, 100% original “as is” condition. These are the actual photos; spent brass is not included with the knife 😉 I have a few more vintage 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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