The knife is about 12 / 30.5 cm overall; blued blade is about 6-15/16 /17.7 cm. The picture I posted is of a knife I had bid on in an auction, but did not win. The knifes performance was dependent on the users knowledge and skills. 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Buying via the links on CutsandCarves could earn us a commission on the sale. In most cases, this wont give you the exact year/ date/ timeframe, but point you to the era when the knife was made. room when the company was auctioned off. If you would like, I could send you a photo of this knife. Another unmarked Prototype hunter with stagged Rosewoods selected. Dated 10/30/1941. Camillus clearly had skinning in mind with this knife. with Rosewood grips. Hi Wilfredo, Just looks cute. The only way to stay in the knife business and keep running a profit was to start making and selling them domestically. 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. The dummy cord is tied on a hole at the blade guard and then it is sewn in the green pouch. Adolph Kastor, the founder of the Camillus cutlery company, came to the U.S.A at the age of 14. When I enlisted in 69 I got my next one from supply. I own one as a backup knife for my backpacking, outdoor, and emergency needs. The Camillus Cutlery company also produced: Their production capacity was expanded during the second world war when they had to manufacture a lot of high-quality knives to meet the needs of the soldiers shipping off to war. Im happy to see that youre entering the world of knife collection. Our fellow member Frank Trzaska wrote about these knives most recently, I think, in his February 2014 article in Knife World entitled "The USAAC 5" Hunting Knife". It was made from a spring off a model T. The sheath was made from a leather belt off a steam tractor. This is the early AAC 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. As best as can be ascertained, the two holes are used as lashing points for cordage for survival tasks in the field, such as creating a hasty spear. companies to design the Para knife. These markings will usually show on the tang since they are less likely to wear and be scratched off there. Camillus produced the knife with a 6-inch blade from 1959-1961. I have a MK2 copy that I bought in the US Army AAFES exchange in West Germany in the mid-1980s. I became curious about the background and history of this knife about a year ago. So, whats unique about the history of the Camillus knives? They've put a pretty generous recurve in the blade and shape of the handle plays well with standard and reverse grips. I dont know if it has any markings that would help determine where and when manufactured. These influences upon the procurement system tempered the DoD design features of the knife. With the help Kent Sportsman's knife with stagged Rosewood grips and Now that you have established the ka-bar knife and got the markings to know what kind of issue it is, how about knowing if it is a WW2 knife or not? My friend and I were just talking about this specific subject, she actually is normally attempting to prove me completely wrong! Example would be you have crashed landed and might be on your side up in the air. In the guides to dating Schrade knives, dating kissing crane knives, and knowing what era your ka-bar knife is from, there were a lot of years to deal with. Those who do not currently own one should purchase one. One interesting thing about the sheath is it doesnt have the pocket for the stone. Otherwise, it would be much easier to go through their files to find out which Ka-bar knives were made when. So both of mine in the first post are wartime? Just found my dads Camillus NY made knife and wanted your opinion about whether to send it to Ontario or whoever for refurbishment or just leave it the way it is. The condition of the knife is worn, but otherwise good. Knife. I not sure where I got it but I undoubtedly purchased it at a local sporting goods or general store such as Gibsons Discount in the late 60s or early 70s. It doesn't get much better then this one. with steel domed rivets. Its blade is double-edged and has a length of 170mm (6 11/16 inches). If you have some method to receive photos, let me know and Ill forward the photos. Entertaining and informing. If you are interested in the Camillus M4 These bayonets are very similar to the originals so you need to check by orvet Thu May 30, 2013 2:01 pm, Post Not looking to sell it. Thank you, this is a very informative treatise on this knife. I cant glean a date of manufacture from the stamp. the Above JPK and the Marbles in the 1953 to 1957 time frame. And, just above Japan is stamped Sportsword, perhaps the manufacturer of this copy? 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. This is the knife as adopted, kept for the Sent to the Jeffersonville Quartermaster, it is essentially a 6 Talking With Knife Collectors & Dealers: By having a fruitful conversation with knife collectors and dealers, you can also identify the Kabar Camillus knife. Do you have any additional information on what the 6-89 is and how it fits in the history. While no one retailer has all the original catalogs anymore, some kept some of these books around. As originally designed it had a 6", saw back blade. Navy didn't agree. by jerryd6818 Mon Jun 03, 2013 3:06 am, Return to Camillus Cutlery Collector's Forum, Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Limited. The leather for the grip will be cut into washers, 1/8 inch in thickness. Must have forgotten to take it out when I updated the piece with the second bullet point, Your email address will not be published. You pull the knife out but drop it. When speaking with them, make sure youre clear that youre not looking to sell. The knife company was resurrected in 2009, and they continue to use the last tang stamp till today. This is the guard-marked type with a "plain" unmarked blade. The pommel screw in the middle looks to be steel, but nut is brass. The tip of the sheath is pointed and the back part of leather extends beyond the front for two lanyard holes. While some other companies have taken over the design and started to make modern versions, there is simply nothing like the older units that first came out under the original Klaas company. OK, but I did not see any knife with this tang stamp before 1989. Thus, when the Ka-bar knife company was changing hands, it was also getting different stamps and logos. Here are some ways to identify a fake Camillus knife: The tang stamps are all over the place; There is a mix of lower and uppercase letters; The font is a bit off; Short and curved false edge (as opposed to the long sweeping false edge of the WWII knife) Scabbards are marked with Eagle, Globe and Anchor Some had been made before the time, and they dont have the exact specs as above. small file transitional Camillus WW2 pilots knife.jpg. I would love to see a picture of the knife. In the guides to dating Schrade knives, dating kissing crane knives, and knowing what era your ka-bar knife is from, there were a lot of years to deal with. Camillus Tang Stamps and Dates (www.bladeforums.com) Camillus Tang Stamps circa 1915-1946 -A WORK IN PROGRESS (AAPK-All About Pocket Knives) . FYI, in case your interested, the Government specification sheath for this knife is still available. Another part of the group has I viewed the ransacked show room Bear7, Camillus Kabar Knife History. But your saying the WW2 knives dont have pins at all?, just peened? J-7 marked Kent with Sportsman etching and stagged The two sheaths while marked differently, IMHO are from the same manufacture. Regards, These are the remaining items that were left in the Camillus factory show Made after march 1985 to 2006. S1408: This is a prototype Camillus sent in to alter the of Tom Williams, Camillus factory historian, I have assembled the is the only one that survived the Marines. http://usmilitaryknives.com/knife_knotes_7.htm. He believes these were ordered in 04/05/44. Camillus stagged bone grips with brass pins. Here you will find information and tips on outdoor activities, wilderness safety and survival, equipment, first aid, health, and other related items of interest to hikers, backpackers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. This knife looks a lot The tang stamp on this knife is post Government contract era. The iconic design features of the knife, that have characterized its look, have remained unchanged since its inception. Below the knives are short write up of what they are. You must log in or register to reply here. Similar blades were made for the Government by Case, Marbles, Kinfolks and others. 5665 J86: Prototype dated 3/25/1942 made for the Army knife with Rosewood plain grips and brass pins. I am 63 yo and have had this knife since I was a teenager. Follow these steps to date the Ka-bar knife this way: Look around the knife for markings on the body. touched them in anyway, as you see them is how they were in the showroom. 5665: Early 12/29/1939 prototype of the new Camillus design the markings are all the same and in the same place as the originals. Heavily used Camillus hunter, possible returned to the Late 1944 production through till contracts were completed or cancelled in 1945, you find those knives more alike or much more similar characteristics. The bolt has a chip near the center so maybe it was well used as a hammer. Now, we know already that this, Read More How to Tell If A 1918 Trench Knife Is Real (5+ Unique 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. blade and solid spun rivets for the military. Among the "bright" finished knives you will find a variance. A German himself, and having spent enough time in the U.S.A. to know the market landscape, this business venture was not difficult for him. It does, however, have a small Japan stamped in the blade at the hilt. contracts. This happens in so many cases, utilizing the already fabricated material until exhausted then make the change. For a knife that has been around for more than 120 years now, you also know that it would have changed hands a lot of times. All About Pocket Knives is a knife related resource center for buying, selling, researching, and discussing all things knives, Post S-4007 hand marked on the blade, Guardless and serrated The Leather washers may have been replaced with the black ones. A Short History of the U. S. Army M-1950 Lensatic Compass Major Hykr, Knife Survival System: The Ka-Bar Becker Champion BK2 Major Hykr, 3 Outstanding Survival Knives For Backpackers Major Hykr, Air Force S u r v i v a l K n i f e | norsedefense, Top 10 U.S. Military Gear For Backpackers Major Hykr, The Stories Behind 7 Infamous U.S. Military Knives | Fishing, https://prc68.com/I/OneManLifeRaft.html#Knife, Best Survival Knife of 2022: Dont Hit The Trail Without It! ; plain & quot ;, saw back blade up in the mid-1980s just talking about this specific subject she... Made for the stone AAFES exchange in West Germany in the mid-1980s knife with Rosewood plain grips brass! 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Manufacturer of this copy or register to reply here while no one retailer has all the original catalogs anymore some! Were left in the us Army AAFES exchange in West Germany in the mid-1980s just peened log in register!