Value of a WWII USMC Kabar with USMC sheath?

[rondog]

I spotted a WWII USMC Kabar Fighting Knife in an antique shop recently. Don't "need" it, but I like to collect WWII militaria and it would be a nice addition.

I didn't get it out of the case to check it out closely, but assuming it's in good shape and all correct, what should it be worth? It has a USMC marked leather sheath. I believe the WWII USMC logo should have a rope or chain around the bottom, right? Something the modern logo doesn't have?

It was priced at $185, I'm just wanting to find out if that's worth going back to check out and haggle over, or if it's priced unreasonably high.

 

[rcmodel]

No, it isn't worth going back.

Real WWII, Korea, or Vietnam Marine KA-Bars were not sheath marked with the Marine Corp emblem.

The knife itself might be blade or guard stamped U.S.M.C..

A sheath might have been marked with the makers mark, such as 'USMC, BOYT, 43', but it would not have had the Marine Corp emblem embossed on it.

See this about that!

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=683967

What you are looking at is a modern reproduction, old looking, or not.

Don't fall in the trap!!

You can get a brand new one with the Marine emblem on the sheath for $80 bucks

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KA...ch-Plain-Blade-Leather-Handles-Leather-Sheath

Rc

 

[rondog]

Great info, thanks! The wife wants to go back anyway, so I'll look it over real close and pop some photos. May not have had the emblem, but I do remember it had USMC on the sheath.

 

[rcmodel]

The problem with those military KaBars, and Navy MKII's is, they used them through three wars and 20 'police actions', almost 50 years.

But there were only minor differences in markings, such as specific address marks, tang, or guard marks over a 40+ year period.

Then, knives got switched in the sheaths they started in in arms rooms, and supply rooms.

So, it is difficult to date them to a specific war period, even for someone who has several of them in my collection.

It's safe to say KaBar wasn't in the game much after WWII, and there were several design and address changes that are 'tells' as to age.

But, a collector could go crazy trying to date one to a specific war period.

Rc

 

[hso]

As RC said, No military sheaths were marked "USMC" so the sheath is worthless as a collectable.

Review all the USMC Fighting Utility/USN MkII threads and load the pics on your phone before shelling out any money. IF this is an issue knife instead of one of the huge range of non issue commercial products then you need to narrow the year of production down by looking first for the manufacturer and marks.

 

[lemaymiami]

...and if you want to add to your education about war period Ka-Bars (or Eks, or Camillus, or name your brand...) simply go to E-Bay and enter in your choice (for me it's usually a simple 'Ek knife') and get a quick view of what's being offered in the marketplace. Most of the blades shown will be current (or late model production or just plain copies...). The real deal will look pretty used, will have few markings, and might even have one or two owner applied features (those old Navy Ka-Bars come to mind since a lot of them were modified by their owners). Enjoy, you'll find a lot of junk along with a few real war items....

 

[rondog]

Wow, sounds like it's not worth the trouble. We're going back there anyway, so I'll coon-finger it real good and look it over, then hand it back and say "no thanks".

Thanks for all the info! Guess I'll stick with bayonets.

 

[hso]

Wellllll, don't be too hasty. Is is marked KaBar or are you just assuming that is the manufacturer? There are other manufacturers during WWII that are far more collectible than the humble KaBars. Heck, if it is an early KaBar it could be worthwhile. BUT if it isn't an issue knife it isn't worth the time.

 

[lemaymiami]

Following my own advice I went back to E-Bay and did find an assortment of both Mark one and Mark two Ka-Bars (as well as a few Camillus and others...) that claimed to come from WW2... On the Ek side of things they only had one war pattern blade (rock maple handles, poured lead rivets) with a questionable sheath and no provenance at all. Since it was being offered at almost $2000 I'll expect to see it there until it expires... Lots of fun looking, but I'd be a bit skeptical of most war period claims without some documentation...

 

[rondog]

Wellllll, don't be too hasty. Is is marked KaBar or are you just assuming that is the manufacturer? There are other manufacturers during WWII that are far more collectible than the humble KaBars. Heck, if it is an early KaBar it could be worthwhile. BUT if it isn't an issue knife it isn't worth the time.

Like I said, I haven't actually touched it yet, or examined it in any way. I saw it in a showcase and said "hmmm, must investigate values. We're coming back anyway....."

Store was closing in minutes, we were there just by chance, no cash in hand, etc.