Union Cutlery Ka-Bar fixed blade question?

[DMLEATH]

This fixed blade is around 9.5” total length and does not have a number on it. Any help in which direction to research is much appreciated!

[steve99f]

Looks like a Model 471 Pathfinder. Check the guard the model number and blade length may sometimes be found stamped on top of the guard next to the blade. In the KABAR subforum look for posts by member "gunsil" to find out more.

Your example looks to be in really nice condition.

[DMLEATH]

Steve,
Thanks for your help! I will look up that model number- I searched the guard but didn’t find anything.

[Gunsil]

Steve is close but this is not a 571 Pathfinder. Steve, this one is newer than the models with guard marks. It is also leather (5) rather than fiber washer (4). This knife is not in the brochures and only came in one blade length as shown, 71s were available in four blade lengths. This is also one knife that is Identical whether KA-BAR or Olcut marked. I do have an Olcut marked one that has the model name "OLD SCOUT" etched out on the blade. The handle on this knife is longer than a 571 handle also. These are not so easy to find but still usually don't bring a lot due to being leather as opposed to bone or stag. (this model only available in leather) Cool find for sure. DM, i believe your nice knife is 1930s. Dou you have the original sheath? It sometimes helps in dating. Not much to research, there are no books or positive internet reference for pre-war KA-BAR hunters.

[DMLEATH]

Gunsil- thanks for sharing your knowledge! I will send a picture of sheath that came with it. It is partly torn and has a number that looks like 585 but I had googled that before I posted the question and didn’t see anything.

[Gunsil]

Cool! Mine and another I know of do not have sheaths marked like that. It is a late 1930s-1941 sheath and if original to the knife that 585 would be the model number for the knife.

Steve, another difference between this knife and a 571 is the fuller. A 571 fuller starts further out on the blade and is rounded at both ends whereas the fuller on these models starts right at the ricasso and is square at the ricasso end. This knife is also not shown in the 1938 brochure or earlier brochures so it may have come out in 1939-1940 which might make sense since there seem to be few of them out there and it is definitely a pre war knife.

[tongueriver]

Gene, I cannot believe the depth of your knowledge; you are a treasure.

[steve99f]

Thank you DMLEATH for posting a KABAR we could discuss, its been a while.

[steve99f]

Gene,

Brochure #31 exhibits this model #585 "strong grooved blade ,extra long handle, leather rings held by brass countersunk nut in a aluminum pommel." I can see how this differs from the 71, mainly the handle length and the fuller. I notice in the brochure that there is a handle material called "Fiberlite". I didn't know this was different from leather washers.

Its neat that the sheath was model marked rather than the knife.

[DMLEATH]

Wow, the knowledge you all have is amazing-
Steve- you mentioned a brochure- is this a book you have?

[Gunsil]

Thanks Steve!! I did not look in the 31 folder. They did some marked sheaths later on close to the war so I looked in the closest folder to the war. Glad you found it! They are very stout knives and a lot less common than several other models. The Fiberlite handles are the handles with the reddish, yellowish, and black ring handles, very common in the 71, 72, and 74 models. Some folks think those handles are dyed leather rings but they are a man made product. Handle code 4. On the 74 model (Trading Post) the fiberlite handles are more common than the leather ones on larger 5&1/2" blade versions. I still don't have a near mint 574 in leather with looking for forty or more years. I have several nice 474s but the 574 still eludes me.


DM, Union Cut Co/KA-BAR produced about six "Outdoor knife" brochures or folders from 1924-1938. These have most of the hunting knives shown with all blade lengths and handle materials listed for each model. They are VERY hard to find and pricey. A folder #38 with a 1940 price list sold on ebay two weeks ago for over $140. I was underbidder. I have made some high quality copies of most of them, you can PM me for details.