Old kabar fixed blade[help]

[PCOWH]

I have this old kabar that I was gifted and hoped someone would know more about it.

[zzyzzogeton]

The all-caps KA-BAR stamp makes it pre-1953 for a timeline.

It looks like a "Little Hunter" model, but Gunsil can set us straight if I'm wrong.

[Gunsil]

Close Wayne! Appears to be a "Little Trading Post" and with the lead plug pommel was made in the late 1940s-1951. Little Hunter has a 3&1/2" blade, LTP has a 3" blade.

[PCOWH]

Thanks guys! The handle is all cracked hense why the previous owner wrapped it in electrical tape, do you know anything about replacing the stack? Id love to restore it fully

[Gunsil]

Unless you are experienced and good at restoring stacked leather handles it is not an easy or practical thing to do. There are repair kits for the big KA-BAR USMC knives but none for smaller knives. The lead in the pommel would have to be melted out to remove the handle and re-poured when done. Then you would have to find leather of the right thickness to make your washers and then get the oval shape and the finger grooves right, not an easy chore. You can buy a nicer example of the same knife for less than seventy bucks on ebay usually with the original sheath. You might have to wait for one to come up for sale but they are not that rare.