US Navy MK2 Utility Knife - USS Enterprise (CV-6)

U.S. Navy MK - 2 "Ka-Bar" Utility Knife - U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
This is a U.S. Navy, Mark 2 Utility Knife from WWII, commonly called a "Ka-Bar", which was used aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6) by Quartermasters Mate 3rd Class Ernest P. Turp and subsequently retained by him as a memento of his service. The knife is accompanied by its leather sheath (ZFC3848).

The Mark 2 knife was inspired by the complaints of soldiers and marines who were issued the old WWI Mark 1 fighting knife. The precursor's numerous shortcomings prompted the government to design a new knife that could be both a combat and a utility knife, while concurrently conserving strategic resources. One of its most distinctive features was a handle made of stacked, contoured leather washers.

The original prototype had a threaded tang and nut assembly that proved unsatisfactory. After replacing the threads & nut with a steel pin, the new knife passed inspection and was designated the 1219C2 knife. In the navy, the knife became known as the "Utility Knife, Mark 2" while in the Marine Corps it was officially the "Mark 2 Combat Knife" or more commonly the Knife, Fighting Utility. It was also issued as a diving knife, however saltwater tended to rot the leather handles, often necessitating shipboard replacement as in this example where the issue leather has been replaced with Bakelite, likely done aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6).

In the United States Navy of WWII, a Quartermaster's duties included standing bridge watches, preparing and computing navigational data, recording navigational detail on charts, plotting and steering courses, and general supervision of the bridge crew. It is without doubt that Quartermaster Turp acquired this knife while aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6).

Provenance:

* Camillus Cutlery Co, Camillus, NY, 1943/45.
* USS Enterprise, 1943/45.
* USN Quartermaster 3c Ernest B. Turp, 1945/46.
* Retained by QM3c Turp as a memento of service until, 1990s.
* Acquired by purchase by The War Museum of New York City, 1990s
* Sold via Bonham's of New York City, NY to Zaricor Flag Collection, 2013.

Sources:

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USS Enterprise, Wikipedia, 9 April 2013, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Enterprise_%28CV-6%29

Remembering Enterprise, USS Enterprise CV-6, The Most Decorated Ship of the Second World War, USS Enterprise Association, 9 April 2013, from: http://www.cv6.org/remember/default.htm

USS Enterprise, Naval History and Heritage Command, 9 April 2013, from: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/cv6.htm

Ka-Bar, Wikipedia, 9 April 2013, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ka-Bar

Our History, KA-BAR, 9 April 2013, from: http://www.kabar.com/history

Zaricor Flag Collection (ZFC) Archives, 2013.

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
Bonhams

Hoist & Fly
Width of Hoist	2.5
Length of Fly	12.675

Frame
Is it framed?	no

Nationality
Nation Represented	United States

Fabric
Fabric	Metal
Comments on Fabric	Bakelite Handel

Attachment
Method of Attachment	None

Applica
Applique Sides	3-D Artifact

Documentation
Documents	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
Drawings	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.

Condition
Condition	Good
Damage	Used, worn
Displayable	yes

Date
Date	1941-1945