Early 1947 Camillus Official Boy Scout Camp Knife

[mgbbrown]

Camillus obtained the Boy Scouts of America knife contract in 1947, making them available to the Scouting public in May of 1947. The Model 1996 was based on the post-war Army general utility knife, but with a smaller frame. Both featured black jigged Micarta or Celluloid scales; fluted nickel silver bolsters; a longer bail; brass liners; steel springs; a long style combination bottle opener and slotted screw driver, and a newly patented, two-piece can opener. A Boy Scout fleur de lis inside a Federal shield emblem was attached to the scales on one side of the knife. However; Camillus did release an official camp style knife identical to the Army version, except that the main blade was etched “Official Boy Scout Knife” centered above the Scout emblem. These perhaps were produced to fulfill BSA demand before the May 1947 release- l am unaware of any documentation for this particular variant and am hoping others may comment. This example appears unused. This knife, as well as the May 1947 version, both have a short line Camillus tang stamp. Noteworthy is how the spear point main blade angles downward when fully opened- a characteristic of earlier Camillus World War ll folding utility knife production facilitating easier and precise cutting- safer for a Boy Scout to use. This feature would carry over to the model 99 camp knife pattern as well.

[Miller Bro's]

Excellent knife

[ScoutKnives]

Beautiful example , definitely just post WWII , I have one in my collection as well .
I believe the knife is acknowledged in Joseph Kerrs book “600 scout knives “
Mike

[mgbbrown]

Thanks Mike! I have a fledgling collection. I do have a 1047 Whittler that l mistakenly thought was an early version from 1947. It is a three-pin, round emblem Micarta scaled knife from around 1967-69. I posted it on the general forum and was roasted alive. I have learned that:
1) The round shield on the Whittlers appeared around 1967-1969
(before that it was a Federal shield).
2) Camillus began to use one-pin scales in the mid-70s (before that
it was three-pin).
The kicker is that the main blade is a Cornwall. I went so far as to have the knife examined by Glen Brooks, an elderly former employee of Western and knife builder, who emphatically stated it had never been apart. We believe Camillus was simply using up old blade stock on this knife, and is otherwise unremarkable. I do not have a copy of the book you cite and will look for a copy. Three of the knives pictured are Camillus military issue which often found their way into the hands of Scouts. I never received the traditional Scout knife when l earned my Eagle award in 1970, so l am making up for lost time!