PDA

View Full Version : GI knives



barretcreek
03-20-2021, 01:54
Pawn shop has two knives.
'Queen City' no other markings. Blade about 5 to 6 inches, small guard. Slim leather washer grip with a round, flared cap on the butt.

Other is 'US' marked, Utica Cut. Corp. Pronounced blood groove, heavy guard. Leather washer grip and larger cap at the butt.

Didn't find a lot of info on line except some guy on fleabay is very proud of his Utica knife.

Anyone familiar with these?

lyman
03-20-2021, 03:32
https://queencutleryhistory.com/

not sure they ever made a US knive,

re the Utica, is it a kabar type?

or like this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-Kutmaster-Utica-NY-Fixed-Blade-Hunting-Knife-w-Leather-Sheath-/393176742723?hash=item5b8b28fb43%3Ag%3AEnwAAOSw7Gp gRDrx&nma=true&si=r8OTmFQ9ZLmPV1NYDe1DF7W%252Fdd8%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Johnny P
03-20-2021, 07:56
"Queen City" is the older marking on the Queen knives. The military bought "utility" sheath knives from a number of different manufacturers but don't ever remember seeing one by Queen Cutlery.

The other knife sounds like the Navy Mk.II pattern, which was made by several different companies for the military, and made commercially since WWI.

barretcreek
03-21-2021, 10:12
The Utica is marked 'US' (no periods) over 'Utica Cut. Co.' Not Kutmaster. Similar to the knife in the photos but I don't have it here to compare. Reminds me of my Kabar but it is a recent one.
I'd call the QC knife a utility blade; shorter and lighter weight than the Utica. Not 'US' marked.

Sunray
03-23-2021, 09:47
"...Utica..." They at least sound familiar. 'Queen City' does not. I think Utica made assorted bayonets. Queen City appears to have made folding pocket knives. I don't ever recall seeing such a tool being issue to the troopies.
Here's more about Queen City Cutlery.
https://www.chuckhawks.com/queen_cutlery.html
More about Utica, including a mention of bayonets and M1 Carbine parts(everybody, his brother and most of his cousins on the Eastern Seaboard did that)
https://uticausa.com/about/