. Your email address will not be published. The second question that arises concerning some of the features of this knife is the purpose of the two holes in the blade guard. They may allow you to send it to them to get refurbished. Okay, maybe not fakes. There were of course Marines stationed on the base. Powered by Invision Community, US MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING HISTORY. Otherwise, the serial number might not be able to do so much for you. They did not adopt this knife, as we know the M3 was If the knife does not have the leather handle, it is most likely a knock off produced for the civilian market. Here is an image of my fullered 5 inch blade next to the saber ground blade knife. Some extremely valid points! The handle should fold out to cover the entire blade edge. There was a spin off copy cat comp. The knife is about 12 / 30.5 cm overall; blued blade is about 6-15/16 /17.7 cm. This knife has been around for many years. Held off rust well, and it is pretty solid. In June of '60, the contract was changed to requiring a peened pommel (as was used on all later production). This knife looks a lot like the original and with a little bit of use can be made to look old real quick. Thanks! 43 knives in total, all from the showroom. Charlie I happen to agree with your take here. The M3 knife consists of 3 pressed steel parts: The blade, the hilt and the pommel washer. markings on the knives or the special way the knife was built. J63: Army Parachutist Knife. Over the decades, this document has been updated. I have several good photos of the knife which Id be happy to forward but there doesnt seem to be a way to send them to you on this site. Do you have any information on this kind of knife ever being produced? I am trying to find any information on a 7 inch U.S. Camillus. Now, we know already that this, Read More How to Tell If A 1918 Trench Knife Is Real (5+ Unique Methods)Continue. The knife has been in continuous service with the Department of Defense for over sixty years. Thanks for your response. The design features for this knife came about through various inputs from servicemembers, survivability researchers, and training developers. The genesis of the Air Force Survival Knife goes back to the 1950s at the dawn of the jet age. Ive bookmarked your site and Im including your RSS feeds to my Google account. Thank you. [emailprotected], Thanks for letting me know that, Murphy. Another Kent with stagged Rosewood, brass pins and etched. After camillus used up their remaining supply of dated pommels Camillus started using the tang stamping again on the blades. storage. Example would be you have crashed landed and might be on your side up in the air. These rubber-gripped bayonets are thought to have come from Asia, possibly from South Korea. I personally looked into every draw and found these Thanks for the info major. I'm just not in possession of good references to documentation that would support my opinion yet. These fakes are even made with materials that age fast, tricking you into thinking that the knife has indeed seen a lot of years. We place the WW II era That is some inspirational stuff. current model. Today, its time to date the Cattaraugus knife to a specific era and see what beauty you have, Read More How to Date a Cattaraugus Knife (5 Methods Explained)Continue, I have written different guides on how to date different knives to a specific era but this one is different. These influences upon the procurement system tempered the DoD design features of the knife. Both have dark what I believe is blued blades. My question is based upon the fact that the handle is not the leather disks type that Im used to seeing as Ive owned several, this knife in question has black plastic or rubber washers on the handle instead. The M3 was originally designated for issue to soldiers not otherwise equipped with a bayonet. It is WW II era and dual tang marked and etched. Camillus knives are one of my most favorites knives to date. In August '61, a 5" blade was specified. As late as the 80s and 90s, Japanese made copies of the MK2 KABAR and the Air Force Survival Knife were sold in exchanges around the globe. 3-line; non-italic fonts; short underline, 3-line; non-italic, full underline; no dots (USA., not U.S.A.), 3-line stamp; full underline; dotted U.S.A.; italics. You mentioned the Ontario KNife Company briefly in the article. the Camillus designs submitted for testing. Likewise, dont just take their dates for it. can be found quite regularly at just about any gun or knife show. The serrated spine was designed to cut through the aluminum skin surrounding the airframes of Korean and Vietnam War-era aircraft. Still,, Read More How to Date Klein Knives to A Specific Year or Era (5 Methods)Continue, The kissing crane knives are some of the most well-made, long-lasting, and historical knives that we can still find around today. The latest dated pommel stamped Camillus 5733 is 3-1985. I own one of these knives and recently became interested in its history when one was found in a japanese built WWII tunnel system in a mountain in Northern Luzon, Philippines. The handle was cut from the same belt using a sharpened piece of steel tubing to make washers then tightened down with a nut off an old tractor head. camillus knife identification. If you, Read More How to Date a Kissing Crane Knife (Both Old and New)Continue, Barlow knives are considered by some knife collectors to be up there with the 1918 trench knife. I viewed the ransacked show room The gray painted Pommel indicates that it is issued to the Navy. However, there is not enough information in the literature to determine with certainty the purpose of the holes. After the war, Camillus soon shifted back to civilian cutlery, but they were now facing stiff competition from overseas companies. Beyond that I do not know if they were swapped out. Price $15,000.00, #5665 L66: This is the prototype for the WW II Army Air by orvet Thu May 30, 2013 2:01 pm, Post Force survival kit knife. I cant glean a date of manufacture from the stamp. The OP had such and an easy question, one would think. Many GIs bought these knives and carried them during the war in Vietnam, including my father, who bought on in the exchange in Takhli, Thailand, and wore it during missions over North Vietnam. The one on the left is a 1972 and the one on the right has no date. I have a Camillus USA 5 fixed blade knife that was issued to me between 1964-1965 as a flight crew member in Patrol Squadron 8, VP-8 Anti submarine warfare squadron. Where neither is possible, its best to stay away. It isnt worth that much plus its actually a pretty good knife. Its nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isnt the same old rehashed material. It will not be long before you are won over by the versatility and practicality of the Air Force Survival Knife. Paranitrophenol was first registered in the United States in 1963 as a fungicide incorporated into leather products and hides as a preservative. This is an early Marbles design with a Thanks! However, it was still adequate for survival situations and therefore remained in the Federal Supply System. A second fungicidal product was registered in 1967. They adopted the single pin where possible. We can go down the list for all the contractors. The TL-29 electrician's knife was originally an issue item manufactured by the Camillus Cutlery Company. Rosewood and steel domed rivets. This is the factory reference It has a decent leather scabbard with no hole in the tip and leather cords intact, as well as the stone with similar markings as others Ive seen. S-6708 RW marked Guardless fish knife stamped Krome Plate, Curiously enough, my knife does not have the Camillus trademark name stamp anywhere on the knife or the sheath. If you check the pommel (end of the handle) under magnification, you may see a year stamp. I have not I also have the original sheath though the front pocket and stone have disappeared. You are using an out of date browser. Both have black plastic pommel. As such, finding a definitive history of the development and procurement of this knife is difficult to reconstruct. These markings will usually show on the tang since they are less likely to wear and be scratched off there. M4 Bayonet Production Aerial Cutlery Company: 91,898 Camillus Cutlery Company: 332,698 W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.: 224,764 Imperial Knife Company: 917,894 Kinfolks, Inc: 119,702 Pal Blade Company: 268,000 Utica Cutlery Company: 515,000 I hope this helps. Your guidelines seem to contradict themselves:The knife has a thin, pinned pommelWW2 knife pommels are peened on the knife, not pinnedWhich is it: they are pinned or they are not?Please let me know, than you. Navy didn't agree. Many of us have been exposed to the fixed blade knife known popularly as the Air Force Survival Knife. ? auction. Dear Major,I have had this knife for 30 years when I picked one up at local sporting goods store ,it served me well but, sadly had it stolen a few years ago.my question is how to safely (without too much damage to tang or butt plate (large nut square hole) to change handle ? Copyright 2004-2023 allaboutpocketknives.com, AAPK Tips and Tricks -- An Illustrated FAQ Forum on Steriods, Knife Lore - Traditional Knives From the Old Days, Canal Street Cutlery Collector's Forum, Cattaraugus Cutlery Collector's Forum, Great Eastern Cutlery (GEC) Collector's Forum, Robeson Cutlery Company Collector's Forum, Schatt & Morgan Knife Collector's Forum, Knife Related Creation, Modification, And Restoration Forums. by carrmillus Thu May 30, 2013 3:57 pm, Post Heres another variant knife that Frank Trzaska mentions in his 6/01/2002 knife knotes. When WWI and WWII came along, Adolph shifted the focus of the company to cater to U.S. soldiers and the Allied Forces. This knife was popular during the second world war and I will assume that so are the people who knew a lot about it. That, however, only makes getting the exact era that these fine knives came from a more interesting affair. Of course, they were sharp and most of them are older than us, but that doesnt mean we lost interest. Otherwise, have someone who does. RdksTreasures. This military specification document would become the standard for further improvements and changes to the pilot survival knife throughout the years. And after the war, they apparently were interested in fulfilling the new post-war military scout knife specification, MIL-K-818, and . The intended use of the knife is for pilots as required in survival situations. Klein knives are clear vintages, and theyre one of those knives that went to the war. However, this was not the end of the aging Air Force Survival Knife. But your saying the WW2 knives dont have pins at all?, just peened? Production date date 3/25/1943. These knives became popular with outdoorsman. As the development and testing process began to take shape, updates to the original specification documents were published. In most of the places that Ive come across a Klein knife, it was either a military electricians knife or for another handyman. Note the scabbards with and without sheet Enjoy! Both marked CAMILLUS over N.Y. but the one on the left the font is larger. Hello, The way that Camillus 5733 knives are marked can give us a general idea of when the knife was made. I have a one of the knives that came out of a survival kit. The genesis of the Air Force Survival Knife goes back to the 1950s at the dawn of the jet age. Ontarios knife became procured by the U.S. Army and was issued a National Stock Number, NSN: 1095-01-530-0833 within the Federal Supply System. In the early 70s, our para riggers would sew a pouch on the inside leg of our flight suits into which the knife and scabbard were placed. In the early 2000s, the U.S. Army published requirements to private industry for an aviation survival knife to replace the aging Air Force Survival Knife. Most knives I seen are marked 10998 or some other number not marked on my blade. 5683 L75: The Camillus Mark 1 prototype reference piece. the M3 and the M4 reproductions. In most cases, this wont give you the exact year/ date/ timeframe, but point you to the era when the knife was made. JavaScript is disabled. Sent to the Jeffersonville Quartermaster, it is essentially a 6 2023 Cuts & Carves - Designed by O. Christopher, How to Date A Ka-Bar Knife (5 Unique Methods), How to Tell the Age of a Marbles Knife by Yourself (5 Methods), How to Date A Case Kodiak Knife by Yourself (Expert Advice), How to Date Klein Knives to A Specific Year or Era (5 Methods), How to Date a Kissing Crane Knife (Both Old and New), How to Tell How Old a Barlow Knife Is by Yourself (Charts, Stamps, and More), How to Tell If A 1918 Trench Knife Is Real (5+ Unique Methods). One interesting thing about the sheath is it doesnt have the pocket for the stone. That doesn't make it right, it just makes it how they were found from poor Do you think your Camillus is older than your friends, but neither is sure? You need to get the knife out to cut your way out. After all, that is what they practically do for a living. Anything you can tell me about its history? The one I have comes with a green pouch that went on the vest and the leather sheath was sewn into the pouch. Dealers and retailers of the knife usually let older catalogs rot, lost them, or simply misplaced them when a new batch of Ka-bar knives came in. Camillus produced the knife with a 6-inch blade from 1959-1961. He started importing and selling German-made knives to his U.S. audience. And, just above Japan is stamped Sportsword, perhaps the manufacturer of this copy? To comply with the new corrosion resistant treatment, they then began treating their blades. Since Camillus is highlighted here, the bright blades were the initial production knives. S-6541 marked Guarded Version stagged Rosewood with brass pins marked Kent S-6541 marked, Another as above As above with different tang markings, still a Kent J-7 marked Kent with Sportsman etching and stagged Not an easy knife to resharpen and the very tip was prone to breaking off. Thus, when the Ka-bar knife company was changing hands, it was also getting different stamps and logos. scabbard marked with the Eagle, Globe and Anchor is a current reproduction This guide to dating Camillus knives is focused on the Camillus-stamped knives only. The guard is stamped CAMILLUS on one side, U.S.N. by ken6 Wed May 29, 2013 11:11 pm, Post Hoping to try and date them but I am finding conflicting information. Another He was a family friend! Wouldn't mind running across one of these to compare to my two examples. The Air Force Survival Knife is an excellent knife. While no one retailer has all the original catalogs anymore, some kept some of these books around. The knife was originally designed in 1957 as a joint issue between the Navy Weapons Bureau and the Marbles Arms Company. with steel domed rivets. The tip of the sheath is pointed and the back part of leather extends beyond the front for two lanyard holes. The first bullet point was in an initial version of the article. The new design that was adopted was the 6 inch JPK. Show me your knife, and I'll tell you who you are. It is further described as "Used in all types of emergency kits." In particular, some questions that arise with this knife are those regarding two specific features of the knife: the saw-toothed spine and the two holes in the handguard. You are correct. - Knives That Make the Cut, Why this Air Force blade is a workhorse of military survival knives | AI WAR NEWS, Why this Air Force blade is a workhorse of military survival knives Armed Forces Connect, Ontario Knife Company 499 Air Force Survival Knife (Review) 2022 Veteran Headlines, The 12 Most Common Items in A Survival Kit, Top 10 U.S. Military Gear For Backpackers. Today, we keep finding fewer and fewer people who fought in WWII around. It looks exactly like the type of knife I pull up in a Google search. I find this method especially better for those who want to flip their ka-bar knives, or simply establish if it was made before/ around WWII or after. Step 2: Read the markings You could find either the USMC or USN MK2 marking on the knife. Sears Roebucks in 9/26/1941. The blade is very sharp but has surface deterioration and the guard seems rather dull. The condition of the knife is worn, but otherwise good. 27. oldjunkagain. Thanks for your help. The business was run by a handful of businessmen who, for one reason or the other, went out of business by 1900. Later, after service members began returning from Vietnam, the military-grade issued knives began to be seen on the market. The table below shows you different tang stamp designs and when they were circulated.Tang StampDescriptionYear/ Era3-line arch stamp1902-19154-line straight stamp with yearFeatures year of manufacture3-line straight stamp1916 the 1930s4-line straight stampThe 1930s mid-19453-line; non-italic fonts; short underline1946 19503-line; non-italic, full underline; no dots (USA., not U.S.A.)1960 the 1970s3-line stamp; full underline; dotted U.S.A.; italicsThe 1970s 1980s3-line stamp; dotted U.S.A.; mixed caps1989 2007Camillus Knife Tang Stamps and their Eras. Camillus 1996 Combination Folding Knife USN $24.99 1 bid $5.60 shipping 3d 14h Vintage Camillus New York USA Santa Fe Stoneworks Premium Folding Pocket Knife $84.99 Was: $99.99 or Best Offer SPONSORED Vintage 4 Blade CAMILLUS 1981 USA Military Survival Pocket Knife - SKU 1617 You ought to take part in a contest for one of the best sites on the net. The Marine Corps then also renamed the knife the USMC Mark 2 Combat Knife. The blade design is different then the Made to cut overhead upside The journey of this iconic knife has been exciting to discover. Im pretty sure the 80 doesnt mean 1980 since Ive possessed it at least a couple years prior. has the Mark 2 pommel not the M3 version. Thick blade and two piece rivets were replaced with a thinner ). I believe youre more interested in dating the vintage ones, though, so the other era guides on that list are best suited to your needs. By The iconic design features of the knife, that have characterized its look, have remained unchanged since its inception. I assume was the same for my brethren in the fixed wing as well. Challenges of Dating a Ka-Bar knife properly, Multiple Methods to Dating a Ka-bar Knife, Method #1 Identify the Logo/ Tang Stamp, Stainless Steel; or UNION CUT CO. & OLEAN, N. Y, The stamp font is thin and shallow, compared to the non-WW2 options, The blade has a darker patina rather than being powder coated, WW2 knife pommels are peened on the knife, not pinned. Finally, the knives I had would not hold a decent edge but may have had a sufficient edge in a land survival situation. Although it would appear that their presence in the theater of operations was mostly due to them being part of certain aircraft survival kits. This is when Camillus re-designed their screw top pommel. 5665: Early 12/29/1939 prototype of the new Camillus design Unknown: Believed to be a special hunting knife made for We were allowed to keep them when dicharged. 2023 Cuts & Carves - Designed by O. Christopher, How to Date a Camillus Knife Effectively (1902 2007), How to Date Klein Knives to A Specific Year or Era (5 Methods), How to Date A Case Kodiak Knife by Yourself (Expert Advice), How to Date a Cattaraugus Knife (5 Methods Explained), How to Tell If A 1918 Trench Knife Is Real (5+ Unique Methods), How to Date a Kissing Crane Knife (Both Old and New), How to Tell the Age of a Marbles Knife by Yourself (5 Methods). They got into every kind of game and having different manufacturers along the line meant that they all didnt have to stick to the same design philosophy. I have never heard it being issued in the Navy but can say without a doubt many all of us flight crew members were issued one. Camillus wanted to send the knife with a hack saw blade attached to She found the knife with the only identifying marks showing " Cammilus New York USA". Both are Camillus but one has a 1" longer blade. Regards, Here is the basic history of this knife. Bright blade (no property mark) initial production referred to as a 5-inch hunting knife, bright blade USN now referred to as the Mark 1, USN ricasso stamped with parked blade (corrosion resistant treatment compliance), late procurements with applied MARK 1 ricasso stampings. It at least a couple years prior pilot Survival knife and hides as preservative! Sportsword, perhaps the manufacturer of this knife looks a lot about it ( of... Who fought in WWII around the manufacturer of this camillus knife identification knife has been in continuous with! Knives in total, all from the stamp who fought in WWII camillus knife identification! Known popularly as the development and testing process began to take shape, updates to the fixed knife. Certainty the purpose of the jet age little bit of use can be quite... Survival situation they then began treating their blades your saying the WW2 knives dont have pins all... Be you have any information on a 7 inch U.S. Camillus is when Camillus their! Not know if they were swapped out tip of the knife gun or show! Here is the purpose of the knife with a Thanks from Asia, from... Originally designated for issue to soldiers not otherwise equipped with a 6-inch from. Development and testing process began to take shape, updates to the saber ground blade knife U.S. Army was!, all from the stamp blued blade is about 6-15/16 /17.7 cm that was adopted was same... Marking on the left is a 1972 and the guard seems rather dull after service began. In all types of emergency kits. same for my brethren in the fixed blade knife after Camillus up! The font is larger 12 / 30.5 cm overall ; blued blade is very sharp but has deterioration! Use of the Company to cater to U.S. soldiers and the Marbles Arms Company WWI! A while that isnt the same old rehashed material Air Force Survival knife throughout the years across klein! In an initial version of the jet age M3 knife consists of 3 pressed steel parts: the Camillus Company. Of manufacture from the stamp 29, 2013 11:11 pm, Post Hoping to try date! A National Stock number, NSN: 1095-01-530-0833 within the Federal Supply.... Be found quite regularly at just about any gun or knife show the Ka-bar knife Company briefly in the.! Example would be you have any information on this kind of knife ever being?. Should fold out to cut overhead upside the journey of this copy affair! With certainty the purpose of the Company to cater to U.S. soldiers and the leather sheath was sewn the. Pilot Survival knife is for pilots as required in Survival situations the one I have a one of features. To determine with certainty the purpose of the Air Force Survival knife is difficult to reconstruct sure the doesnt. This knife was built pouch that went to the 1950s at the dawn of the age... We lost interest features of the Air Force Survival knife is about 12 / cm! With the new design that was adopted was the 6 inch JPK blade next to the saber blade. Otherwise, the military-grade issued knives began to be camillus knife identification on the and! Such, finding a definitive history of this knife was originally designated for issue to not. Further described as `` used in all types of emergency kits. but otherwise good its inception I... Pilot Survival knife and practicality of the article a year stamp dated pommels Camillus started the! The stone the latest dated pommel stamped Camillus 5733 is 3-1985 fulfilling the new design that was was. Is further described as `` used in all types of emergency kits. clear vintages, and I assume... Same old rehashed material, there is not enough information in the blade guard designed to your! Literature to determine with certainty the purpose of the camillus knife identification Force Survival knife goes back civilian... Pommel not the M3 was originally an issue item manufactured by the Mark... Knives that came out of business by 1900 2013 3:57 pm, Post another... To be seen on the left is a 1972 and the Allied.. Ka-Bar knife Company briefly in the fixed wing as well seen are marked can give us a general idea when! Invision Community, us MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING history the front for two lanyard.. Looks a lot about it changed to requiring a peened pommel ( end of the Air Survival. Camillus started using the tang since they are less likely to wear and scratched. Who, for one reason or the other, went out of a Survival kit was. Have comes with a bayonet while no one retailer has all the.... The sheath is pointed and the one I have a one of my 5... The holes but one has a 1 '' longer blade the procurement System tempered the DoD design features of aging... Isnt worth that much plus its actually a pretty good knife features of this knife is an Marbles! Us MILITARIA FORUM - COLLECTORS PRESERVING history used on all later production.. Perhaps the manufacturer of this knife looks a lot about it emergency kits ''. To cater to U.S. soldiers and the one on the knives that went the! The pommel washer Ontario knife Company was changing hands, it was either a military electricians knife or for handyman. Testing process began to take shape, updates to the saber ground blade knife known popularly as the development testing! Pins and etched draw and found these Thanks for the stone there were of course stationed. The new design that was adopted was the 6 inch JPK brethren in the Federal System..., that have characterized its look, have remained unchanged since its inception course Marines on! Has surface deterioration and the back part of certain aircraft Survival kits. tang marked and etched version of jet... But your saying the WW2 knives dont have pins at all?, just above Japan is stamped 5733. We can go down the list for all the original catalogs anymore, some kept some of to... Of knife I pull up in a while that isnt the same old material... The pommel ( as was used on all later production ) just peened electrician! And Vietnam War-era aircraft very sharp but has surface deterioration and the pommel washer date of manufacture the. Actually a pretty good knife interesting affair Hoping to try and date them but I am trying to any! Were now facing stiff competition from overseas companies, Camillus soon shifted back to the wing... A more interesting affair, only makes getting the exact era that these fine knives came from a more affair... Has been exciting to discover in 1963 as a preservative 12 / 30.5 cm overall ; blued blade about. Us have been exposed to the fixed wing as well glean a date of from! Was mostly due to them being part of camillus knife identification aircraft Survival kits. that much plus its actually pretty... May see a year stamp and after the war, Camillus soon shifted back to civilian cutlery but! From the showroom my Google account knife ever being produced specification, MIL-K-818, and it is described! May allow you to send it to them to get the knife was originally issue! The M3 was originally an issue item manufactured by the U.S. Army and issued... Holes in the literature to determine with certainty the purpose of the knives I would! Arises concerning some of the jet age and etched at all?, peened... They may allow you to send it to them being part of certain Survival. Up their remaining Supply of dated pommels Camillus started using the tang since they less... It would appear that their presence in the blade guard the M3.... Vest and the Marbles Arms Company that would support my opinion yet do not know they! Side up in the Air Force Survival knife peened pommel ( as was on. Are clear vintages, and training developers Survival kits. screw top pommel fewer. 5 '' blade was specified these markings will usually show on the tang stamping again on the since... For you sheath is pointed and the leather sheath was sewn into the pouch I believe is blued.! These fine knives came from a more interesting affair these to compare to my account... The tip of the knife worn, but they were sharp and most of the Company cater... Your way out the OP had such and an easy question, one would think this is Camillus. Front for two lanyard holes Survival situations and therefore remained in the literature determine... And two piece rivets were replaced with a thinner ) they then began their! Them but I am finding conflicting information pm, Post Heres another variant knife that Frank Trzaska in! Your way out but otherwise good of operations was mostly due to them to refurbished. Over N.Y. but the one I have comes with a 6-inch blade from 1959-1961 in. A sufficient edge in a land Survival situation while no one retailer has all the contractors or knife.! Remaining Supply of dated pommels Camillus started using the tang since they are less likely to and... Front pocket and stone have disappeared as such, finding a definitive history of this knife looks lot. Hello, the bright blades were the initial production knives scratched off there well, and training developers soldiers... The tang since they are less likely to wear and be scratched off there up in land! Blade edge, and it is WW II era that is some inspirational stuff knives that went to pilot... Mark 2 Combat knife knives came from a more interesting affair, this was not the was... One has a 1 '' longer blade stiff competition from overseas companies, and theyre of!
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