So I’m at a friend’s house, and she comes out with this…
It’s a Ka-Bar… But…
It’s not a Ka-Bar… Or is it??? PAL? 
Yep, it’s actually a PAL Blade Co, USMC issued 1219C2 USMC Mark 2 Combat Knife!!!
And it’s stamped PAL on one ricasso and USMC on the other…
Ka-Bar info HERE.
Here’s a bit of history on PAL and this blade. Produced by the PAL Cutlery Company of Plattsburgh, NY. Pal was established in 1935 as a cutlery company, specializing in kitchen implements. The company was a merger of the Utica Knife & Razor Company of Utica, NY and the Pal Blade Company of Chicago, IL. Pal used both the “Blade Company” and “Cutlery Company” monikers interchangeably during the next two decades. During World War II the PAL Blade Company produced hundreds of thousands of edged weapons for the US war effort, including USN Mark 1 and Mark 2 knives, M-3 Trench Knives, TL-29 pocket knives, a variety of bayonets including the M-1 and M-4, as well as a limited number of USMC 1219C2 combat knives. The Pal Blade Company went out of business in 1953, and the assets of the company were acquired by American Safety Razor company.
Her dad was a Marine in WWII, and served at least some time in the Philippines and other places in SEA, but never talked about it. She’d never seen the knife either… It was found in the bottom of a trunk after he died. She’s done nothing to it, and it’s in excellent shape all things considered. I can’t help but wonder where the sand on the tang came from, and what the stain is on the sheath… Her dad had gone in to the Marines in 41, so this must have been an original issue knife, as it’s an early PAL with the red spacer below the pommel.
If only it could talk…
These bits and pieces of history are both precious and from a family perspective, frame what it took to build a country, and what sacrifices were necessary. The knife would go well in a shadow box IMHO. I just finished one for my father, who died many years ago.
LL- I think I might do that for her for Christmas. A friend builds custom shadow boxes. Thanks for the idea!
If only it could talk indeed. And the stories he could have told if he could have. I hope he is resting in peace while guarding Heaven’s streets.
WOW! VERY Cool!
gfa
That is cool!
Sweet fighting knife! Among my collection of three WWII bayonets I have a Utica M1, a Springfield 1918 M1 cut-down spear-point, and a M1 Carbine by Ariel – but not a PAL.
If it could talk I’d bet it would say a prayer from some sandy beach, “Dear Lord, thank-you for the A-Bomb!”
What a treasure
VERY cool!
Thats an oldie but very goodie :^). I think Remington and PAL cutlery companies had an incestuous relationship, their patterns are very similar to one another. I have a couple of PALs, but not military patterns.
Hey Old NFO;
Man..if that blade could tell stories….Stuff like that makes history real. Books are good for information…but things like that “tell” history…
You could send the sand found in for examination of roundness.
My evaluation is that this sand came from some Pacific Island during the WW2 actions of the Marines, as he was a part of them.
You would cherish this “blade” if it came into your possession.
Value: same as any WW2 knife like this at gun shows.
Knife forums would help sell it.
Very nice! I too wish some things could talk!
CP- Yep…
gfa/Fargo/Rev- True!
NC- Probably!!!
j.r.- Yep, PAL actually bought Remington’s knife division.
Bob- If only…
mrC- Good point, and she will never let it go. It will go to her grandson.
keads- Yes, if only.
The shadow box as LL suggested would be wonderful. A great way for her to retain the history of the piece, and pass it on in such a way that its historic family value is known.
A great piece of history
My favorite crazy Uncle gave me his USMC issued Ka-Bar knife as a high school graduation present in 1962. It was issued to him by the USMC in 1942. I used it as a hunting knife for many years until I got to thinking about it when he died in 1989. I was careful with it as I am with all my outdoor gear. It is on my mantel sitting on a teak stand I built for it. My current hunting knife is an inexpensive MORA Kniv.
Dammit- Yep, ordered it last night…
Rick- Oh yeah!
Gerry- That is great, and a great way to honor him!