While KaBar wasn't the first or most plentiful manufacturer of the 1219C2 pattern USMC Fighting Utility Knife/USN MkII, it is the name most closely associated with it.
The WWII manufacturers for these Government contracts Camillus, Union Cutlery (KA-BAR), PAL, & Robeson. All of them made versions marked for the U.S. Navy.
Camillus made the knives thru WW2 until August of 1945 when all the outstanding contracts for knives were cancelled. The U.S. had so many at that time that no new contracts were awarded for the MK2 type knives until the 60's. The marking specifications were changed and no branch of service appears on the post WW2 knives. Camillus received it's next Government contract in 1962 and continued to make Government contract knives until the very late 80's.
The WWII manufacturers for these Government contracts Camillus, Union Cutlery (KA-BAR), PAL, & Robeson. All of them made versions marked for the U.S. Navy.
Camillus made the knives thru WW2 until August of 1945 when all the outstanding contracts for knives were cancelled. The U.S. had so many at that time that no new contracts were awarded for the MK2 type knives until the 60's. The marking specifications were changed and no branch of service appears on the post WW2 knives. Camillus received it's next Government contract in 1962 and continued to make Government contract knives until the very late 80's.
