Camillus WWII and before!

The Camillus Cutlery Company was one of the oldest knife manufacturers in the United States with roots dating back to 1876. The company manufactured Camillus branded knives and was a prolific contractor for other knife brands up until its last days in 2007 when the company filed for bankruptcy.
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Edgewise
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by Edgewise »

Now I can't forget what jigged bone should look like. Thanks Dale.
Your first picture, left row, last but one, and right hand row, bottom knife, are my favourites,
one for each pocket. I guess they're Camillus?
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orvet
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

Glad you like then Paul.
Neither of those knives have a brand name on them.
They were probably made by Camillus, Imperial or Pal Blade Co for US Government contract in WW II.
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by Mossdancer »

Darn Dale:
It would from displayed appearances that you and Mr. Levine have just made Rogers Bone a very mundane thing. They must have provided product for the vast majority of Cutlery Cos. in the early 1900's. It would sure be great to see their production and shipping records from the time they purchased the handle company till around 1950. Thanks to you both for the education.
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Miller Bro's
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by Miller Bro's »

orvet wrote: If anyone knows which patterns are Rogers and which aren’t, I would like to know.
The last one in the left column and the second one down in the right column are not Rogers.

The rest are ::nod:: Nice selection of bone handles Dale ::tu:: ::drool::
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orvet
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

Here is my first Camillus Sword Brand with a 4-line tang stamp.
This is how it arrived with absolutely no cleanup.
Camillus Sword Brand 4 line a.jpg
Camillus Sword Brand 4 line b.jpg
It appears to me to be Rogers Bone, what do you think Dimitri?

I guess this one belongs here as well.
A Sword Brand #1001 hawkbill pruner.
The pattern number was changed to #1 by time of the 1946 catalog.
The 1946 catalog is the oldest I have, and I don't think they put out a catalog during the war.
The change in the catalog pattern may have predated WWII.
Attachments
Cam- Sword Brand 1001 a.jpg
Cam- Sword Brand 1001 b.jpg
Cam- Sword Brand 1001 c.jpg
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by Miller Bro's »

Very nice Dale ::tu:: ::drool::

Those Camillus fixed blade knives did use Rogers bone as well, in fact if you compare it to a Remington fixed blade they are identical handles ::nod::
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

I thought I had seen Rogers Bone on Remington’s before, both fixed and folders.
Rogers must have been the main supplier of bone in their day.
I wish we could get it again!
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

Here is one I got today in the mail today.
The tang stamp reads:
CAMILLUS/CUTLERY CO./CAMILLUS, N.Y./U.S.A. 1915

The stamp alone pretty well dates this knife.
I imagine it was a US Navy issue knife, though I am not sure.
I will have to do some more research on it.
It has some major issues, loose bolster on the spike end, cracked bone on the pile side, weak & rusty liner, etc. I need to check with a couple experts before I do any restoration work on it.

I was thrilled to get this piece, especially since it has a new 4-line tang stamp I have not seen before!

I took lots of scans, enjoy this old knife and try to imagine what it looked like in its glory day!
Attachments
Camillus 1915 a.jpg
Camillus 1915 b.jpg
Camillus 1915 c.jpg
Camillus 1915 d.jpg
Camillus 1915 e.jpg
Camillus 1915 f.jpg
Camillus 1915 g.jpg
Camillus 1915 h.jpg
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by Iron Hoarder »

I think I would put that one in a display case and just leave it as is. Some old warriors deserve retirement and that is an old beauty with honest wear. Great knife.
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by tjmurphy »

That's a great one Dale ::tu:: ::tu::
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by Mossdancer »

Dale:
I was thinking maybe it is time for you to think about building a shadow or display box an put some of those old Cams. in it and arrange as well as can be figured in Chronological order. That opener has a great thumb stud on it. Would not be a bit surprised if that old fellow did not see duty aboard a three or four master in the late Teens. I have a 17 or 21 Boarding Cutlass that you could use in your display if you want to. I forgot to say you got a real Treasure this time.
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by smokepole »

I think I would put that one in a display case and just leave it as is. Some old warriors deserve retirement and that is an old beauty with honest wear. Great knife.
+1 I'm with Iron Hoarder on this one..(and with MossDancer).
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

Iron Hoarder wrote:I think I would put that one in a display case and just leave it as is. Some old warriors deserve retirement and that is an old beauty with honest wear. Great knife.
I agree, at least for the time being. If it is as rare as I suspect it would only decrease the value. Besides it would take extensive work to rebuild; I think I would need to replace the liners. Finding a sheet of carbon steel would not be that easy, most supply houses only have stainless sheet steel.

Mossdancer wrote: I forgot to say you got a real Treasure this time.
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Thanks Moss, I quite agree!
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travman
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by travman »

Here is a Sword Brand Hobo with the curved 3 line tang stamp
Goings dates this around 1902-1915
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Sword Brand Hobo
Sword Brand Hobo
Sword Brand Hobo
Sword Brand Hobo
Sword Brand Hobo
Sword Brand Hobo
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by travman »

Here is a 4-3/4" Lockback with a swing guard
Sword brand etch is still visible on blade , small
chip on lower corner by the lock release
Locks up tight and good snap still
Has the 3 line stamp
CAMILLUS
CUTLERY Co
CAMILLUS,N.Y.
Attachments
Sword Brand lockback
Sword Brand lockback
Sword Brand lockback
Sword Brand lockback
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Miller Bro's
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by Miller Bro's »

That Hobo has got to be rare ::nod:: ::tu::
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by travman »

Its a Great early piece from the past
It is still tight and snappy the
3 pieces slide apart smooth and fit back snug :D
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by travman »

Here is a 5-1/4" folding hunter
It has the 3 line stamp
CAMILLUS
CUTLERY Co.
NEW-YORK
Attachments
100_3152.JPG
100_3157.JPG
100_3153.JPG
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by tjmurphy »

WOW!! ::woot:: Trav, you're killin' me with those wonderful old Cammies. ::woot:: In the words of JustOld52 "There Grrrrrrrrrrrr8" ::nod::
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by orvet »

Trav,
Those are all pre-WWII tang stamps.
Tom William said "CUTLERY" was dropped from tang stamps after WWII.
Most of the WWII stamps are 4-line.

From what I have gathered so far about Camillus tang stamps, I would think those are all 1930s or earlier.
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travman
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by travman »

Thanks Guys :D
The Hobo seems to be the elder of the three
pretty early tang stamp
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by travman »

Here is a hard to find Sword Brand 5" toothpick
not a fish knife
4 line tang stamp with the sword brand stamp
Trav
Attachments
100_3170.JPG
100_3173.JPG
100_3174.JPG
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by travman »

Camillus Cutlery razor
Not sure of the age but it must predate ww2
I know its not a pocket knife but i thought it belonged here
Trav
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100_3169.JPG
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by carrmillus »

travman wrote:Here is a Sword Brand Hobo with the curved 3 line tang stamp
Goings dates this around 1902-1915
travman, this is a real treasure!!!...i have one like it with the 4 line stamp-1914-1941, it's near mint with brown jigged bone, and it's probably my favorite camillus!-great find!!!!
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Re: Camillus WWII and before!

Post by travman »

Thanks carmillus
It was your fine Hobo that made me search for one in that condition
i got lucky and found it with that early tang stamp ::tu::
Trav
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