Ka Bar by Conetta

[AJ]

OP if you think that Mk2 is worth the asking price for whatever reason, like maker mark, by all means get it!

As far as it spending time in Vietnam, unless one personally got it from a reliable source, like the vet, there's no way of knowing its history one way or another. For all we know, that thing could have been surplused decades ago and got all that wear/abuse stateside by who knows how many previous owners.

Haggle with them, the worse that can happen is they say no.

I will second that. There is no way of knowing where the knife was. I have a WW II Camillus that the same Marine carried it in WW II and Korea. How do I know this?? Well he gave it to me as he had no sons he thought deserved it and I am a retired Marine. It will go to my Grandson, who was in the Corps also.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Knife on bottom is mine.
Carried it in SEA.
Knife on top is one of the original Navy Knives which has a longer blade.
Probably carried by some unknown Navy guy.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Okay, now I have to ask, bending this thread a little more, because I am not a bayonet expert by any means - - - the following is an online picture of a bayonet similar to the one that I bought but mine doesn't have that big loop on it:

vietnam eraamerican army bayonets - Bing

This is the bayonet:

The bayonet has no markings. The sheath or scabbard or whatever name definitely says USM8A1 with a PWH underneath.

What do I actually have?

 

[RGallaher]

I purchased this Kabar at an auction for $100.

 

[gunbarrel]

Okay, now I have to ask, bending this thread a little more, because I am not a bayonet expert by any means - - - the following is an online picture of a bayonet similar to the one that I bought but mine doesn't have that big loop on it:

vietnam eraamerican army bayonets - Bing

This is the bayonet:

The bayonet has no markings. The sheath or scabbard or whatever name definitely says USM8A1 with a PWH underneath.

What do I actually have?

That is a picture of an M5, or M5A1 bayonet for the M1 Garand. Click on the link and scroll down. If it doesn't have a loop for the barrel, it's a knife made from parts from that model bayonet. You'll see pictures of it on the same write-up.

Bayo Points 5

 

[gunbarrel]

Knife on bottom is mine.
Carried it in SEA.
Knife on top is one of the original Navy Knives which has a longer blade.
Probably carried by some unknown Navy guy.

Those are not "Ka-bars." They are Jet Pilot Knives. The early ones had a longer 6" blade. You can read about them here:

The Jet Pilots Survival Knife - EDGED WEAPONS - U.S. Militaria Forum

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

I enjoy the Ka-Bar fighting knife.

 

[AJ]

I enjoy the Ka-Bar fighting knife.

They are a bit big for a camp knife. If it comes down to it, would rather have an e-tool.

 

[VaTom]

The correct names for a "Ka-bar" knife were:

- U.S.N. Mark 2

- U.S.M.C. 1219C2 Fighting Utility knife

From WWII to the present, manufacturers were:

> Camillus Cutlery Co.
> ***Conetta***
> M.S.I.
> Ontario Knife Co.
> PAL Blade Co.
> Robeson Shuredge
> Union Cutlery Co. ("Ka-bar" brand)
> Utica Cutlery

Note that this model knife was called a "Ka-bar," like a copier is called a "Xerox" machine. In other words, the Union Cutlery trade name Ka-bar became the term used to describe the item

Conetta made them during the Viet-Nam War, and some in unused condition were still left over and used at the beginning of the war with Iraq. Ontario still makes the real thing.

For more information on Post WWII 1219C2 knives, click on this link and scroll down to Post #14 by "sactroop." Frank Trzaska is the world's expert on these knives:

Two nice fighting knives this AM - EDGED WEAPONS - U.S. Militaria Forum

So if Ka-Bar is stamped on the handguard of a USN MK2 then it was made by Union Cutlery? See pictures of mine.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

That would be a YES Tom.
Ka-Bar was a brand name owned by Union Cutlery.
The name came from, so the story goes, Kill a Bear.
Union Cutlery started using it in 1923.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

Pairs great with an M1911A1 .45 automatic:

 

[gunbarrel]

So if Ka-Bar is stamped on the handguard of a USN MK2 then it was made by Union Cutlery? See pictures of mine.

Agree! That's a WWII later manufacture USN Mark 2 "Ka-bar" made by Union Cutlery. The earlier ones were stamped on the ricasso, and the sheaths were made of leather. Yours is stamped on the guard, and it came with the plastic scabbard. Very nice example.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

That is a picture of an M5, or M5A1 bayonet for the M1 Garand. Click on the link and scroll down. If it doesn't have a loop for the barrel, it's a knife made from parts from that model bayonet. You'll see pictures of it on the same write-up.

Bayo Points 5

AHA! An M5. Whatever. I like it, regardless. I had one similar to that held to my living room gun safe via a magnet, on the hidden side by the back windows. Fire! Gone. So I replaced it with this one. What does this mean:

it's a knife made from parts from that model bayonet.

??

 

[rincar]

Remember Anyone or anything that has served in Viet Nam is liable to show some age and wear and tear. You will not find a Kabar or Veteren in like new condition So you will have to make some allowance for those reason. I know from being a old Viet Nam vet.

 

[dav2no1]

I have a couple old Ka-Bars. One thing to date older knives, is to look at the tang shape.

The one on the right was bought with a small lot of other knives. This knife is around Vietnam era, but it's been totally doctored up to represent a way older knife. I didn't pay very much and had suspicions right away. The leather sheath has engravings on it that are total bs. Like J*r Head K*ller with marks and Tarawa..unfortunately the dummy didn't know his history and marked the date a year before the war actually happened .

I called him out and he admitted that he used to sell similar faked knives on ebay(like 30 years ago) for $1K. He would just list them and not say anything in description and people would go nuts thinking they found a gem. I keep this as a good lesson to show others.

Always do your homework and history. Ask lots of questions, then ask some more. Do your due diligence.

 

[clem]

I was issued one in 1967 while in Vietnam. It is stamped, "CAMILLUS,N.Y." on one side and "U.S.M.C." on the other side.
I spent 69-70 in Vietnam also. Twenty years in the Corps, no better knife except a "Randle". I still have the K-Bar.

 

[umwminer]

Conetta

I purchased a Conetta " Ka-Bar " at the Camp LeJeune base cash sales store ( where replacement utility and dress uniforms had to be purchased that were unserviceable) in 1972 .

 

[80sgyrene]

I have a couple old Ka-Bars. One thing to date older knives, is to look at the tang shape.

The one on the right was bought with a small lot of other knives. This knife is around Vietnam era, but it's been totally doctored up to represent a way older knife. I didn't pay very much and had suspicions right away. The leather sheath has engravings on it that are total bs. Like J*r Head K*ller with marks and Tarawa..unfortunately the dummy didn't know his history and marked the date a year before the war actually happened .

I called him out and he admitted that he used to sell similar faked knives on ebay(like 30 years ago) for $1K. He would just list them and not say anything in description and people would go nuts thinking they found a gem. I keep this as a good lesson to show others.

Always do your homework and history. Ask lots of questions, then ask some more. Do your due diligence.

The most obvious give away is the sheath. No issued knives had the stamped sheaths. The EGA and USMC were only stamped on more modern, commercial knives. I only saw Ontarios and Camillus during my time.

 

[AJ]

The most obvious give away is the sheath. No issued knives had the stamped sheaths. The EGA and USMC were only stamped on more modern, commercial knives. I only saw Ontarios and Camillus during my time.

I have a Kabar that is stamped on the sheath with an EGA, my troops gave it to me as a going away present when we closed the Marine Barracks at NWS Seal Beach, Ca. I also have a WWII Camillus.

 

[bph9]

In today's market the price of older made guns and knives have went through the roof. The knife you showed us is easily worth $125 to $165 Dollars. Just look at what WWII Ka-Bar knives are selling for on E-bay.

I have recently seen Iver Johnson and H&R .22 pistols bring an astonishing $550.00 when in like new condition. It shows you how little people think of today's made revolvers and pistols. Original Colt Pythons now are a steal at $2,000, if you can even find one that low in price. People do know the difference in quality of the guns and knives made back in the day as compared to what is being made today.