First Post- Looking for info about the KABAR 1203

[Harvey Mushman]

Hello,

Great forum you guys have here. I have a lot of reading to do.

I was looking for some info on this Kabar model 1203.

I was told it was either 1950's or 1960's.

As you see on the price tag, it says "1203.9", does that ".9" specify anything?

I bought this at an estate auction just recently, it is still new in the box.

http://www.ar15.com/media/viewFile.html?i=69230
http://www.ar15.com/media/viewFile.html?i=69231


Thank you for your time,
HM

[Harvey Mushman]

I found this pdf, giving dates of manuf. and final price it was sold at.

This model 1203 was sold from "mid 60's to 1978, and sold for $9.50 in 1978.

Here is the pdf: http://www.kabar.com/content/files/Hist ... ricing.pdf


Still would like to know more info if anyone has any.


Thank you

HM

[knife7knut]

First of all welcome to the forums! Always good to see new people joining who share an interest in knives.

The pattern is what is commonly referred to as the "Woodcraft" pattern and has probably been made by nearly every major knife manufacturer in the USA. I have several by various manufacturers including Marbles which more or less invented the pattern prior to World War I.

The one you pictured was probably circa 1965 0r slightly later if the 1978 price was $9.50.(just a guess on my part).It looks to be in unused condition.Value is a very subjective thing;to a KA-BAR collector it would likely be worth more than to someone who just collects knives or who is looking for a good user knife.

I didn't click on the pdf as my computer has a problem with them so I didn't see the final price.Could you post that?

Anyway here are a few of mine of the same pattern.

[Harvey Mushman]

Thank you for the info.

The info at the link:

MODEL NUMBER
1203

DATE OF INTRODUCTION
mid-60s

FINAL YEAR OF PRODUCTION
1978

PRICE AT FINAL YEAR OF PRODUCTION
$9.50

When this gentleman purchased the knife, it was at $8.50, so I'm not sure what year he would have bought it. When he passed away last month, he was 92 years old.

I ended up buying if from his estate auction for $40.00. (I have no plans on selling it, but it's always nice to know it's worth).

I'm also curious about the ".9" or "-9" listed on the price tag.


Thank you for time,

HM

[wlf]

Welcome Harvey

[Miller Bro's]

I'm also curious about the ".9" or "-9" listed on the price tag.

If you measure the knife from blade tip to butt end it should measure 9" overall, if it does that is what the -9 refers too after the model number.

[philco]

I have a similar Case knife that I bought new in 1968 for $6.50. Since Kabar and Case were competeing for buyers I'd guess they'd be similarly priced. With that being said, I would assume the knife would have been sold some time in the 70s as prices rose due to inflation. This is all conjecture on my part but perhaps it is helpful in narrowing the date range a little bit.

By the way, Welcome to AAPK.

[jerryd6818]

Welcome to AAPK. Glad to have you aboard. Congratulations on snagging that beauty. I think you got a steal. And thanks for the .PDF file. Always looking for knife info.

[rexstubbins]

In one of my reference books it states that the "Kabar" stamp with the model number was used from 1970 - 1996.

Nice looking Woodcraft.

I had a Marbles Woodcraft with the Bakelite Pommel and sold it. Wish I hadn't