Kingston US Marine Corps Pocket Knife (with photos)

[jc38]

Hi everyone,

I recently inherited this knife and was wondering if anyone could provide a little more information about it. I have read on this forum that the Kingston US marine corps knives were produced earlier than the Camillus knives and are harder to come by.

Is this a WWII knife that was exclusively issued to marines? What year is it? How much do they fetch in auctions today? (I would never sell it...just curious).








Faintly engraved Made In USA








One side of the bail is missing a rivet

[PigSticker]

Is there a date on the main blade ? I was thinkin they were all dated no mater who made them

[jc38]

Is there a date on the main blade ? I was thinkin they were all dated no mater who made them

No, there is no date.

[orvet]

I believe the pattern was introduced about 1945, nearing the end of the war.
Camillus made the knives for many years, at least into the 1990s, and possible after 2000; so it is far more common to find a Camillus as opposed to a Kingston.

[Treasure Trawler]

Great looking knife! I just posted a pic earlier this week, same knife but wo the bail. Yours is in great shape! I was told that model came with and without kingston on bail. I paid $25 for mine

[ea42]

Kingston was formed in 1943 by Ulster and Imperial to solely make knives for the US Gov't. war effort. It was dissolved in 1947 so your knife would likely fall somewhere between those years. That's a very nice example. They don't fetch a whole lot at auction because they're quite common and quite utilitarian, but it sure is a great family memento, and a nice piece of history as well.

Eric

[jc38]

Thanks for all the great info guys!