Request opinions on Camillus pocketknife

[rugmar]

I bought this on Saturday of this past weekend for $25. All blades have decent snap to them. The main blade may be just a tad less than the other two but all are nice & tight with no wobble. The bone handles are in great shape. I do believe however, that someone has replaced the main blade with one from a newer knife. The knife in general looks older than the main blade and it seems odd that the main blade would have no wear or patina. It doesn't really matter to me as I will probably carry this one every chance I get. It seems to be a solid old knife.

It's just a curiosity and I would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks for looking!

Rugmar

[herbva]

Rugmar, from what I see in your pictures I tend to agree with you.The clip shows no where near the same amount of wear or patina as the other two blades. In addition, based on the difference in the color of the front pivot pin head versus the bolster, I suspect that someone replaced the front pivot pin with what looks like maybe a steel pin, and this was probably done when the bade was replaced. Looks like you got yourself a fine, every-day user for 25 bucks!

[SwedgeHead]

Do we know what the 200 signifies ? From a quick search all the results lead back to the 1976 Camillus 100th Anniversary knife #100 and #200.
Just curious, but that might add a lil something to your knife too.

[rugmar]

Thanks Herb! I just happened to think, it we are right about that blade being replaced, how do I even know this is a Camillus made knife?

Does it look Camillus otherwise? Anyone?

Thanks!

Rugmar

[rugmar]

Good point Swedgehead.

I looked up Camillus 200 but certainly didn't see a knife that looked to be this pattern. I'm just not sure.

Thanks!

Rug

[SwedgeHead]

Good point Swedgehead.

I looked up Camillus 200 but certainly didn't see a knife that looked to be this pattern. I'm just not sure.

Thanks!

Rug

I saw a camillus stockman with this blade configuration, but it's the shield design that differs, that may be the key to identifying the knife.
Your shield is a little narrower than the camillus' I see, and has notched/squared corners.

Might have good luck with a link or mention in the camillus specific forum here too.

[SwedgeHead]

Well, haven't seen a shield that ideally matches yours on a camillus.
The top one here looks a lot like it, but has more of a pointed tip on the bottom.
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... fe-shields

All the rest of the shields look a bit chunkier or with rounded features. But there is one mention I found on a USAAF knife that has another shield pretty close to yours, but the reference to camillus is a little obscure, and its not a stockman. Post #5 in this one.
https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums ... ary-issue/

USAAF.jpg (19.52 KiB) Viewed 1327 times

So not a lot of help, but maybe it gets you to the next step, happy hunting.

[knifeaholic]

The main blade tang stamp - with the letters in Italic - is a much newer stamp, while the frame is a pre-WWII era frame.

[orvet]

The main blade tang stamp - with the letters in Italic - is a much newer stamp, while the frame is a pre-WWII era frame.

I believe the information posted by knifeaholic is correct. The italicized tank stamp is probably from the 1950s or maybe early 1960s. I agree that the frame was probably made prior to World War II. As far as the shape of the shield goes, Camillus used a number of different shields of this type, call to by some a federal shield. I have worked on hundreds of Camillus knives and the shields are often slightly different in shape from one era to another. I don't know if Camillus contracted the shields or if they made them in the house. If they made them in house, the difference is probably explained by variations in new die stamps used to stamp the shields from nickel silver sheets.

It appears to me to be a legitimate Camillus knife with a replacement blade. Beautiful bone handles by the way!

[SwedgeHead]

The main blade tang stamp - with the letters in Italic - is a much newer stamp, while the frame is a pre-WWII era frame.

I believe the information posted by knifeaholic is correct. The italicized tank stamp is probably from the 1950s or maybe early 1960s. I agree that the frame was probably made prior to World War II. As far as the shape of the shield goes, Camillus used a number of different shields of this type, call to by some a federal shield. I have worked on hundreds of Camillus knives and the shields are often slightly different in shape from one era to another. I don't know if Camillus contracted the shields or if they made them in the house. If they made them in house, the difference is probably explained by variations in new die stamps used to stamp the shields from nickel silver sheets.

It appears to me to be a legitimate Camillus knife with a replacement blade. Beautiful bone handles by the way!

... on the tang stamp I think the "200" on the reverse might tell more of a story (?) , and from this link, the fully underlined italic stamp would be 70s-80's, making it fit with the (possible) 1976 200 model. (Were there other 200's ?)

On the shield, I want to agree, but there are so many examples of one type, and so few if any of this one which differs quite a bit- making it an anomally as a Camillus.

I'm still throwing mud to see what sticks, it's good fun conversation

[catspa]

Dunno enough to add any useful info, but I will declare that I favor the Camillus stockmans with the long pull main blade.

Of the three I have (I know, ridiculously small sample), the two with shields are number stamped on the back side of the main (66 and 67, respectively). The shields are fatter and differently shaped than the OP’s. The one without a shield is not number stamped.

Parker

ETA: I should have mentioned that these are all 4” Stockman models, basically the 8OT size equivalent.

[rugmar]

Guys, as always, I really appreciate and value your opinions. I’m really liking this knife and I think the bone is beautiful on it. Shame that the main blade had to be replaced but at least it seems like whoever did it, did a decent job.

Thanks so much for your posts.

Rugmar

[Ripster]

Guys, as always, I really appreciate and value your opinions. I’m really liking this knife and I think the bone is beautiful on it. Shame that the main blade had to be replaced but at least it seems like whoever did it, did a decent job.

Thanks so much for your posts.

Rugmar
[/quote
The guys seemed to have nailed it for you . Thought would post a pic of the 100th Anniversary model 200 . It’s the same main as your knife like has been mentioned . The bone on your Stockman is awesome . Are the liners milled ,and are they steel? I see the pins are not brass that’s why I ask . Could be an old Sword brand ,Camillus upper end piece! Just an observation right now . Also what’s the length ? If you don’t mind . Also a couple of 4 line ( pre Ww2 ) knives with a similar shield . Pre WW2 like Dale mentioned Camillus did use a number of different shields.
Enjoy using it . They’re a favorite around here.

[catspa]

He’s right, that bone is prime. I meant to mention that.

None of mine have that nice of bone.

Parker

[rugmar]

Wow. Thanks for the additional info guys. I guess Swedgehead and Ripster were right about the blade being from a 100th anniversary model 200. Ripster asked a couple of questions about the liners and the length. I believe the liners are steel and the length looks to be 3-7/8" maybe 4" depending on how it's measured. See below pictures.

[SwedgeHead]

I wasnt actually thinking about this post this morning, but while browsing some knives I saw the old Remingtons and realized they had the shield design we were looking for. On the Camillus, even those above, the shield point is noticable sharper (pointier to use the scientific term). This Remington shield looks to be closer to yours. Just adding to the clue package.

And this looks like your blade configuration. (yours maybe having a reprofiling on the one blade)

[rugmar]

So are you thinking maybe it’s a Remington knife with a replacement blade fro Camillus? Looking at the picture Swedgehead posted, I can see the resemblance between the bone on his and the bone on mine.

[Vit_213]

Frankenknife. Mainblade from Camillus #200. Everything else is not Camillus. IMHO

[ken98k]

You got a really nice knife for $25

[btrwtr]

A number of US companies used that shield. Based on the overall look I’d guess the knife was a Primble to start with.