John Primble/Camillus model# 5373 "STAR" - viewpoint -

[Colonel666]

In this photo is a Camillus "contract" made 1965 "John Primble" Belknap Hardware & Mfg.,Co. model 5373 "STAR" Stockman Sowbelly. It has a discontinued plain "football" oval shield on genuine stag-bone handle, brass pins and liners with nickel-silver fluted bolsters. Some people say this knife sells for $150. Rumors say that most "STAR" logo John Primble brand were either H. Boker USA or Schrade in 1968. My guess is that the "STAR" logo on tang stamp represents that W.B. Belknap favored the Union during the American Civil War while living deep in Dixie as a venture capitalist. The Union States used the "National Star" as their symbol. All "contract" made John Primble brand that have this "STAR" (Example: #5373, 5514, 5517, 4927, 5652) were manufacturers with factories based in the North. Schrade, Utica, Camillus, Queen, Schrade-Walden. Even Boker USA had a factory in New Jersey. The markings:
John Primble
CAMILLUS
Belknap HWD, Mfg. Co.

These are on the main blade but barely visible from what appears to be a "chroming-process" error.

[reddirtknives]

I didn't know that about the star but I hear those Pine Knot's are hard to find and nice to own. You lost me on the sowbelly descriptive but I am easily lost . Okay, I can't resist, Was that football just thrown or about to be caught? I'm justa kiddin. I love an old stockman with stag bone grippers.

[orvet]

Rumors say that most "STAR" logo John Primble brand were either H. Boker USA or Schrade in 1968. My guess is that the "STAR" logo on tang stamp represents that W.B. Belknap favored the Union during the American Civil War while living deep in Dixie as a venture capitalist. The Union States used the "National Star" as their symbol. All "contract" made John Primble brand that have this "STAR" (Example: #5373, 5514, 5517, 4927, 5652) were manufacturers with factories based in the North. Schrade, Utica, Camillus, Queen, Schrade-Walden. Even Boker USA had a factory in New Jersey. The markings:
John Primble
CAMILLUS
Belknap HWD, Mfg. Co.

These are on the main blade but barely visible from what appears to be a "chroming-process" error.

I have 3 Primbles made by Schrade that do not have stars.
If I understand what you are saying about the star, shouldn't they have stars on the tang also?

[tjmurphy]

Everything that I've read says that the star denotes Boker made.

[orvet]

Everything that I've read says that the star denotes Boker made.

That is what I have heard as well TJ.

[Colonel666]

The year that the Schrade made Primble's are important to figure a guess to why there is no "STAR". The American Civil War was at a 100 year anniversary around 1962-1968. My knife is a 1965 Camillus made Primble. All others that were contract made don't fall within this 100 year Civil War anniversary time frame and were not given a "STAR". I am just making a good educated guess however toward a highly debatable episode in knifemaker history.

[orvet]

Maybe we can get Tom Williams in here to comment on that.
While I don't think Tom was working in the factory in 1965, his mother was working there than.
Perhaps between the two of them they can answer this question.

[tjmurphy]

The year that the Schrade made Primble's are important to figure a guess to why there is no "STAR". The American Civil War was at a 100 year anniversary around 1962-1968. My knife is a 1965 Camillus made Primble. All others that were contract made don't fall within this 100 year Civil War anniversary time frame and were not given a "STAR". I am just making a good educated guess however toward a highly debatable episode in knifemaker history.

There was no star because they weren't made by Boker

[knifetime]

Everything that I've read says that the star denotes Boker made.

Bingo TJ