Antique Camillus Knife

[GerryMski]

I have an old pocketknife of my grandfather's. I believe it to be a Camillus "Jigged Black Farmer Stockman w/ Spiral Punch". I understand that these were sold between 1903 and 1945. Can this be narrowed down? Does it have any value or is it junk?
On the base of the large blade its printed CAMILLUS CUTLERY. It has three blades.

[jerryd6818]

Gerry -- Welcome to AAPK

Can you get a clear, in focus picture of the tang stamp and post it?

In the latter portion of the 1940s, there were four separate pattern numbers made with that blade combination.
#64 -- 3-3/8" closed, called a Junior Premium Stock Knife
#68 -- 3-7/8" closed, called a Premium Stock Knife
#71 -- 3-5/8" closed with bone handles called a Cattle Knife - Fat like a Cigar pattern, this knife was only in the '46 catalog.
#73 -- 3-5/8" closed with Celluloid handles also a Cattle Knife - Same Cigar pattern & only in the '46 & '48 catalogs.

The #71 and the #73 don't look like your knife. Depending on the length, I'd say it's a #64 or #68 from the 1950s. I say 1950s because of those hard black synthetic handles.

With the blade loss to the main (clip) blade and the handle shrinkage, I'd guess (and it is just a guess) $15 to $30 on eBay. It all depends on the day of the week, how well it's listed, quality of the pictures, phase of the moon, time of day the auction ends and who's bidding on it. It doesn't "feel" like much over a $15-$20 knife. I could be wrong. It happens.

[GerryMski]

Thanks for your reply. I'm learning.

I assume the tang stamp is what is printed on the blades. These are hardly visible with magnifier. The large blade has crossed blades on one side and the Camillus Cutlery on the other. The small pointed blade has something too. It's hard to read, but it ends in RAL and is either 5 or 6 letters.
i tried scanning it and that did not give anything.

[GerryMski]

I forgot. It is exactly 3 1/@ inches long closed.

[jerryd6818]

Yes, the tang stamp is what's stamped on the blade. See examples below. The tang stamp (the brand of knife, such as Camillus, Case, Schrade) is almost always on the main blade.
Yours is a Sword Brand which was the premium line for Camillus.
Did you mean to say 3-1/2" closed?
Could the "RAL" word be 'Spiral'?

Yours would most likely look like this:

[GerryMski]

I think you got it. The swords are the same and I notice that side b is hard to read. Yes! I think the little blade does say what you suggest. The font threw me.

Thanks

[jerryd6818]

Since it's Sword Brand, it may be somewhat earlier than the 1950s. With those handles, more than likely c.WWII ('41-'46). I think in that condition, the previous value would hold.

[chetr1200c]

welcome to aapk sir,
whatever the monetary value might be on that knife, the sentimental value far exceeds that amount.

[Elvis]

Jerry.....Would you mind posting the Camillus Tang Stamp Chart so that it can be enlarged? I've got a few old ones and it would really help knowing the correct ages for them. Thanks!

[tjmurphy]

Hey Bob, I've got that same tang stamp chart and it does not enlarge very well, everything just smears. Try here, it's better.
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... =35&t=7436

[jerryd6818]

T.J.s right. That one starts out small and there's no way I know of to enlarge it without it pixelating (getting blurry) so I made another one (Just for you Bob. ). Try this one on for 'size'. (pun intended)

Like all other pictures that are loaded to AAPK, click on it once to enlarge it. Click on it the second time to see it full size.

[tjmurphy]

Nice job Jerry, I saved that one.

[knifetime]

It looks to be from 1941 to 1946 with that set of tang stamps. I could be wrong.