I have two older (early-mid 60's) Kabar Skinners. One slightly used, worn, sharpened...the other almost mint.
They are identical; stacked leather handles, finger grooves, 5" blades, and about 9 1/4" overall. Each came with a rather basic leather sheath, embossed with a whitetail/woodlands scene. I'm not sure of the steel, but each is very highly polished.
The only stampings are Kabar, under which is 1237 USA. The only similar skinner pattern I can find is a No. 1233, which is made in Taiwan.
Anyone have any info on these knives?...approximate date of manufacture? Value? My dad bought two of these...one for him...one for me...as far as I can remember, it was the early 60's. Any help??
Thanks gentlemen.
cj
Kabar Sninners
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jabberwocky
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9ball
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Jabberwocky 
I follow those a little; This one is approximately 9 inches and is a 1203, USA made.
You are right about them being from the mid-60's.
An associate told me he brought one new to carry on board ship, that would have been during the pre & post Pueblo Incident thing 1968.
He was not sure if it was the same model of not, but knew it well.
My understanding is that the military did not furnish weapons to personal on those type ships, but were encouraged to buy & carry their own. You know, for cleaning fish and shootin' skeet on deck.
Over the past couple of years I have seen them sell on eBay in the $75.00 range in this shape and your description.
One I saw was described as a Viet Nam fighting knife, I doubt/not sure if that is/was official or not.
Maybe someone else knows more.
Hope this helps
9ball
I just thought of it & off topic, but it has been almost 40 years and their still over there stirring up trouble.
I follow those a little; This one is approximately 9 inches and is a 1203, USA made.
You are right about them being from the mid-60's.
An associate told me he brought one new to carry on board ship, that would have been during the pre & post Pueblo Incident thing 1968.
He was not sure if it was the same model of not, but knew it well.
My understanding is that the military did not furnish weapons to personal on those type ships, but were encouraged to buy & carry their own. You know, for cleaning fish and shootin' skeet on deck.
Over the past couple of years I have seen them sell on eBay in the $75.00 range in this shape and your description.
One I saw was described as a Viet Nam fighting knife, I doubt/not sure if that is/was official or not.
Maybe someone else knows more.
Hope this helps
9ball
I just thought of it & off topic, but it has been almost 40 years and their still over there stirring up trouble.
My Oath as an American Army Soldier did not come with an expiration date.
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jabberwocky
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:47 pm
Thanks 9ball...
My knives are almost exactly like the example you posted, but both have a little more upsweep at the end/tip of their blades. The handles are the same kind of stacked leather, and the pommels on mine look almost like a polished alloy of some sort...maybe even aluminum? The sheaths are exactly the same, though!
My knives are almost exactly like the example you posted, but both have a little more upsweep at the end/tip of their blades. The handles are the same kind of stacked leather, and the pommels on mine look almost like a polished alloy of some sort...maybe even aluminum? The sheaths are exactly the same, though!