Camillus Military Knives

[WelderBob]

Now that's a cute little bowie knife...I didn't know Camillus made fixed blade's like that, I have a new GEC that look's similar in shape.

This might be my oldest Camillus...don't know if it's pure military, but I'd bet some soldier's used them...
Would you happen to know what kind of wood they used...it has some nice grain to it.

Bob

[Miller Bro's]

Nice slot knife

The American Red Cross sent these to soldiers during WW I.

The handles on the ones I have had are Cocobolo wood

[WelderBob]

Found a nice blade stamped USN Mark 2 this weeked...has the blued blade and correct scabbard.
Someone did a little sharpening on it, but I don't believe it's been used.

Now if I can just find a USMC...it seem's the Navy boy's didn't use their's as much as the Marine's did.....

Bob

[Miller Bro's]

This one belongs over here too................

[WelderBob]

This is my new addition a guard marked USMC...some honest use but it's been cared for. The handle seem's a bit darker than
most I've seen and the sheath has been dyed black on the front only. I believe it to be a correct sheath for a Marine issue
knife but the two tone has me puzzled...any thought's on this..?

Dimitri, I am going to own USMC Stiletto someday...

[Miller Bro's]

Bob,

I have a scabbard just like yours that is colored green and black, sort of camouflage, that was done by some Marine. I also have one that was dyed with black shoe polish, only on the front side, like the one you have

The way you have been finding these nice military knives lately, you will have a stiletto before you know it!

[elbertson]

When specs changed from brown to black, many marines (and soldiers) that wanted to carry older brown handled and sheathed MK2s would blacken the sheath and handle with shoe polish so that they could continue to carry them. The back was often left alone as it wasn't seen when worn and wouldn't rub off polish on their clothes that way. I've met a few young marines who would buy commercial Kabars in the '90s (because they said Kabar on them) and do the same with polish or dye.

[Mossdancer]

A pretty good catch. Had it for a while now. Suspect it to be one of the last Tang Marked 5 inch JPK's with pommel of knife painted gray in one of the first metal tipped sheaths. Seems to me to be a bit unusual is the metal spacer between guard and leather and a metal spacer between pommel and leather. If Camco see's this maybe he can enlighten us. It must be Army or Coast guard from the color of the tip of sheath. The color of metal tip in photo is pretty close to true. Lest you be wondering, I cannot make out the date stamp on back of sheath. Could not resist a photo of sunset over the Pacific and Young's Bay.
moss

[WelderBob]

That's a nice one Moss...the 6" JP you have, is it a screw on pommel...been looking for one of those. I've also wondered about
the tip metal on the sheath's, the different color's and length of the metal on the back of the sheath.

Thank you all for the info on the Mark 2 sheath's, do you know when the military made the change from brown to black..?

[elbertson]

As far as the metal handle spacers go on JPKs, all of them I've seen have them.

Metal tip protector plate added to JPK sheath on 1/11/67 (at least spec wise)
Full back protector plated added 7/6/74 (spec wise)
Actual change over probably took a little while, as I think they had a fair stock of the older style sheaths still around.

Color change on MK2s seem to be as a result of several spec changes spanning from 66-70.
I don't think they were too serious about actually changing across the board until the late '70s. I have a few Camillus knives post 1974 that are still the "ox-blood" brown.

[Owd Wullie]

As far as the metal handle spacers go on JPKs, all of them I've seen have them.

Metal tip protector plate added to JPK sheath on 1/11/67 (at least spec wise)
Full back protector plated added 7/6/74 (spec wise)
Actual change over probably took a little while, as I think they had a fair stock of the older style sheaths still around.

Color change on MK2s seem to be as a result of several spec changes spanning from 66-70.
I don't think they were too serious about actually changing across the board until the late '70s. I have a few Camillus knives post 1974 that are still the "ox-blood" brown.

Hey MR E,

I appreciate your input into the military forum. It's quiet there, but it is a fascinating forum and your input makes it even more so. PLEASE keep adding to the threads. I may not say anything simply because I have I have nothing to say that would add anything useful.

Sincerely,
Willie

[elbertson]

Thanks, Willie. I certainly don't expect a response from everyone whenever I post something...but when someone posts something that directly answers something that I ask, I feel obligated to acknowledge their efforts...even if it wasn't exactly what I was looking for in an answer. I guess it's all in how I was raised.

Not that big a deal...good to know some folks are getting something out of it.

[WelderBob]

Well it's been a bit of a dry spell for me for military stuff lately...until last weekend when I spotted this at a swap meet.

A mid 50's Camillus pilot survival knife...handle is in good shape, but someone did a number on the blade.

I really like the feel of these knives, they have a nice balance and a 5" blade is more usefull to me than a 7"...JMO

Bob

[Owd Wullie]

Neat old knife.

Got an M-1 to go along with that full clip?

[WelderBob]

Thank's Wullie....

I love that old Garand...