Robeson Fighting Knife Questions.

[MikeA]

I see some Robesons that are listed as WWII fighting knives with what I will call the KA-BAR pattern (if I am using the correct word "pattern"). They dont call them out as USMC and I have seen some that are marked USN and then a few that I think are made much later and marked as USA. They all have the pommel and blood groove of the KA-BAR style knife. The ones marked USA make me leery as maybe being post WWII but not sure and dont know if they were used in NAM????
Im not sure that the USA marked Robesons are really that collectable?

Have tried to do some research and dont seem to find anything yet. IF anyone has some knowledge off the top of their head that would be great. I also noticed the same on two Utica that I have that are just marked US over Utica Cut Co. but again look like the 1219 pattern and sold as WWII fighting knives.

I am tracking down some books and ordered the Military Knive Book- so I wont have to be asking all these questions all the time.

thanks
Mike

I copied this from the site Olive-Drab and give them all credit for the text. I will remove it if they request if it is copy-righted.
The USMC KA-BAR Knife was developed early in World War II. On 9 December 1942, one year after the United States entered World War II, Union Cutlery submitted a Ka-Bar branded knife to the U.S. Marine Corps for issue to fighting personnel. Although the original design failed to meet USMC requirements, the company was able to work with the Marine Corps on improvements. The Navy already had a fighting knife, by Camillus, the Mark 1. A revised design based on improvements to the Camillus Mark 1 was accepted as the "USN Fighting Knife, Mark 2." The identical knife, except its markings, is called "1219C2 USMC" by the Marines with nomenclature "Knife, Fighting and Utility." The Marine Corps version was manufactured by Union Cutlery, stamped Ka-Bar, and was issued as the standard USMC fighting/utility knife. The first batch was shipped to the USMC from Union Cutlery on 27 January 1943.

The knife was so successful in the field that Union Cutlery could not meet the entire demand. As a result, several other manufacturers were licensed to produce the same knife during the war. Despite the ownership of the name by Union Cutlery, all knives of this general pattern became known as Ka-Bar knives. Over one million knives were produced by Union Cutlery alone during World War II.

After WW II the Ka-Bar was no longer officially issued to the USMC or other forces. However, it continued to be popular as "hand me downs" or by unofficial purchases at the PX. And not just in the Marines -- all services plus Seals and other Special Forces were fans of the Ka-Bar. The knife was definitely used in Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War and continues to be sold and used today (see Vietnam photo below). The success of the Ka-Bar and its close association with the legendary United States Marines made the Ka-Bar name a powerful marketing brand for Union Cutlery. In 1952 the company changed its name to KA-BAR Knives Inc.

[RobesonsRme.com]

Robeson made a variety of straight knives for the military during WWII, most for the U. S. Navy, some for the U. S. Army and a very few for the USMC.

Thay made Mark I's, with both wood and aluminum pommels, and Mark II's for the Navy. They also made what are referred to as "shark knives" for the Navy, but I have no real idea what their original purpose might have been.

They ceased production at war's end. I don't know if they had any undelivered knives in stock at the end of the war, but all such Robeson marked knives you will come across were produced for the War Department.

The knives marked "U.S.A." are Army knives. The stamp means U.S. Army, not United States of America.

They made an M-3 commando knife for the Army and some of those are quite rare and expensive, such as blade marked and blade dated examples.

I no longer own any of these, I sold them all last year.

I might have some photos I can attach to this post.

Charlie Noyes

[MikeA]

Thanks - you answered my question

I stupidly passed up one with USA because I just thought it was like a late late reproduction and was marked USA as opposed to USN - my bad.


I now have the Military book and price guide to boot and am devouring it.


I did run out of money though buying on ebay so that doesnt help

Mike