MAKER:   Camillus

PATTERN:   Life raft knife or rope knife

LENGTH (closed):   4-3/8”

BOLSTERS:   Steel

HANDLES:   Jigged rosewood (probably Cocobolo)

BLADES:   Single rope blade

LINERS:   Steel

TANG STAMPS:   CAMILLUS/CUTLERY CO./CAMILLUS N.Y./U.S.A.

CONDITION:   Very Good++

DAMAGE:   Normal wear with some etching of the blade

BLADE WEAR:   Approx 10%

SNAP:   Very good

MADE IN:   U.S.A.

ADDITIONAL INFO:      This old Camillus life raft knife has the four-line Camillus tang stamp. Camillus stopped using that tang stamp in 1946, making this knife at least 69 years old. Somewhere in those 69+ years something etched the mark side of the blade. The etching is not deep pitting, however it is deeper than I felt comfortable buffing out. I think it adds a little character to this old knife. There does not seem to be any appreciable rust on the inside liners or back spring of this knife. Aside from the etching on the blade this knife appears to have been very well cared for.

These knives were part of the safety equipment approved by the US Coast Guard and carried on ships. They were part of the emergency gear found on lifeboats of the US Coast Guard and U.S. Navy. Some of these knives also had Approved/USCG/1944 Q5 on the pile side tang stamp. There were military issued knives with the USCG stamp and without. This particular knife does not have the USCG stamp on it. It may have been made prior to 1944. For more information on military rope knives see Michael Silvey's book; Pocket Knives of the United States Military. You can find this knife and others on pages 104 and 105 of Silvey's book.

Here is a chance to add this piece of military cutlery history to your collection.

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*By purchasing, the buyer confirms it is legal for them purchase and own this knife.

Item # 9882