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Is this the correct sheath for my 1971 Camillus Pilot knife?
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 2:55 pm
by AEM
I bought this Camillus Pilot knife,dated 2/71, on ebay recently. I am wondering if the sheath is correct for 1971 or whether it was made later. The printing on the back of the sheath is illegible. I have read at least one commentator say that the metal sheath reinforcement was added so late in the Vietnam war that sheaths with that feature probably did not make it into service during the war.
I wonder about the sharpening stone as well because it does not have any printing on it like many I have seen, although I imagine that use would wear off the printing pretty quickly.
Thanks for any info!
Re: Is this the correct sheath for my 1971 Camillus Pilot knife?
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:43 pm
by orvet
It looks like it is right, but Mossdancer will be along. He should know for sure.
Dale
Re: Is this the correct sheath for my 1971 Camillus Pilot knife?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:45 am
by Mossdancer
AEM:
Regarding your knife and sheath being mates. My opinion is that the metal tipped sheaths were
started in late 60's. As I under stand for the first few years you might get a full leather or one with metal teeth. I would sure as heck not make a bet on it, this it is just opinion. You might want to read the article again and see if the guy was speaking of the sheath with the back being fully covered by a metal plate up to the throat. It was definitely later. You might consider posting a question to Camco about this in the Camillus thread in this forum.
moss
Re: Is this the correct sheath for my 1971 Camillus Pilot knife?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 6:51 am
by TrentRock
Cool knife!!
Not sure of the year of this ad
Re: Is this the correct sheath for my 1971 Camillus Pilot knife?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 1:57 pm
by Mossdancer
Found this on the bay. It is visual proof. Check the pics in the description.
moss
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nice-VIETNAM-Era-PI ... 286.c0.m14
Re: Is this the correct sheath for my 1971 Camillus Pilot knife?
Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 4:00 pm
by AEM
Thanks, Mossdancer!
That picture of the metal-reinforced sheath dated 4/71 is just what I needed.
I never cared much for these knives, but bought one as part of my fledgling Vietnam era knife collection. After playing with it a couple of weeks I am starting to like it. It has a nice belly which should make it slice well, despite the relatively thick blade. The size and weight are handy. The tip seems like it might be fragile and the saw teeth don't seem like they would cut very well. But the worst thing is the sheath. The top half of the sheath is a single thickness of leather and very floppy. That full length metal plate on the later sheaths must help stiffen it a lot.
Thanks again.
Re: Is this the correct sheath for my 1971 Camillus Pilot knife?
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:05 pm
by ibele-finley
Just my impressions after years of looking at these knives. I carried on in Nam (68-69). the knife I, uh, requisitioned in 1968, was new in the bag but it was the older 62-66, Tang Stamped variety. So there was obviously some lag time in the chain of distribution. I think the brass(?) tipped ones started showing up on the 68-69 knives. But, I've seen 68s & 69s that are in the full leather sheath that the owner convinced me they were in the original sheath. Not really sure when the black metal tip & back started showing up, seems like mid to late 70s.
But to answer you question directly. Yes, I'd say your knife and sheath match as far as manufacture date and sheath type. Nice Knife. I love those things, got 13 of them. 
Re: Is this the correct sheath for my 1971 Camillus Pilot knife?
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 12:07 pm
by ibele-finley
Just my impressions after years of looking at these knives. I carried on in Nam (68-69). the knife I, uh, requisitioned in 1968, was new in the bag but it was the older 62-66, Tang Stamped variety. So there was obviously some lag time in the chain of distribution. I think the brass(?) tipped ones started showing up on the 68-69 knives. But, I've seen 68s & 69s that are in the full leather sheath that the owner convinced me they were in the original sheath. Not really sure when the black metal tip & back started showing up, seems like mid to late 70s.
But to answer your question directly. Yes, I'd say you knife and sheath match as far as manufacture date and sheath type. Nice Knife. I love those things, got 13 of them.
Re: Is this the correct sheath for my 1971 Camillus Pilot knife?
Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 7:41 pm
by AEM
Thanks for the info! Nothing beats personal knowledge from the guys who used the knives.