Brass/ Black Handle Kabar

[jw517]

I got this recently because I have not seen one before. It’s in great shape. Do any of you have info on it. How many are around etc?

[FRJ]

I know nothing about it but it's a beauty.

[1967redrider]

Gene would know.

[jw517]

I do not think I know this man you call,”Gene”. Is it possible to summon him?

[FRJ]

If he see's your title he will undoubtedly show up.

[Gunsil]

Here I am. Cool knife! I can't see the ricasso stamp too well, could you kindly post a photo of the mark? I have a few of these with the Union Cut marks on the back and they are etched KA-BAR Special on the blade. They made this handle for some years since I have a couple from the early 50s too. The handle looks really nice but they are very heavy with all the brass. Does the pommel have a brass nut holding it on? I can give an approximate date with more info and a better photo of the mark but there are absolutely no production numbers to be found.

[jw517]

Hey! Thanks Gene! All it has it the Kabar near the guard. Nothing on the other side. No nut on pommel. I’ll try to get a pic later.

[jw517]

Pics

[jw517]

Pic

[zzyzzogeton]

I have never seen any advertising for these to interpolate a date from or determine the "advertising name", but I have always called them either "bumblebees" or "brass beauties". All of mine have stamps like the OP, with no "special" included, so I guess I have "regular" ones.

Kabar by itself in italics would be after 1952, when the company named changed from Union Cutlery to Kabar.

I was collecting Western "Black Beauties", which have aluminum and black phenolic plastic disks for handle material, before I ever saw one of these and originally thought they were from around the same time frame, i.e., 1958 onward.

After learning more from Gene, I believe they were the inspiration behind the aluminum disk Black Beauties from Western.

I have them with the 26 and 32 and 72 pattern blades and a 4th one that I haven't figured out which pattern applies, although the model numbers would not be those numbers alone, but have a handle material designation number as a leading digit.

[jw517]

So maybe it’s 1960 forward or so? All I know is I don’t see many at all for sale and never with this blade..

[jw517]

I just wanted to thank all of you who helped me here. If ya find anything else about this knife I’d be interested to know. John