Vintage MORSE Diving Equip Co. MK V Diving Knife

MORSE DIVING EQUIPMENT CO.
MK V DIVE KNIFE

Steel, brass & wood                           Made 20th
Century
Overall Dimension knife
13 3/8“          Blade 6 7/8” x 1 1/8”
x 1/8”
Hilt 5“
x 1 1/4“  x 1 1/4”
Markings: See below
Ferule 3/4”                                          Sheaf
8 3/4“ L x 1 1/2“ Dia

Presented is a MK
V dive knife which was the property of a career diver at the Bremerton Navy Shipyard in Washington State. He acquired
it new in the early 1970’s and never used it. =LEFT>

There are no markings on the blade, but the
sheath is imprinted:

MFG’D BY MORSE DIVING EQUIP. CO. INC.
BOSTON, MASS. U.S.A.

Morse started to operate under this name in 1940 and Zip Codes were introduced in 1963 so it is fair to say
this knife was made during this period.

The MK V Dive Knife became part of the MK V Diving System in 1929 and
was included in the specifications first adopted by the U.S. Navy in 1916. The MK V System was used until 1984. However,
this type knife is reported to have been in use in Europe and this country as early as 1915 and all the way up to the
1980’s.

The knife is designed to screw into the top 1″ of a cast brass sheath which is included using Acme
threads which hold it securely, and allows it to be easily and quickly removed. The upper edge of the knife blade has
saw teeth while the lower edge has a very sharp knife edge. This style knife is still in production today by
Morse and DESCO.

;

Both sides of blade

Housed in
Brass sheath with leather strap

Maker’s imprint and grip from the pommel end

CONDITION: Everything
is in good condition and tight. The blade has some scattered rust spots on both sides. The wood grip carries
a varnish coating which has dulled. The sheaf has it’s leather strap which has some cracks and abrasions. The
sheath has a dark patina on one side and a lighter patina on the other.

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Contact Information

By Appointment Only
Palm City, FL 34990 USA

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