A Camillus with a story...wish I knew what it was...

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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Absintheur
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A Camillus with a story...wish I knew what it was...

Post by Absintheur »

Recently picked up this Camillus Jack, walks and talks like a bantum rooster even at the half stops, very slight shrinking of the scales, full blades with a wonderful long pull and swedge n the main, 4 line address. And a Department of Justice seal added into the front scale.

Somewhere there is a story behind this knife...I am hoping to hear from the previous owner but have no idea if they are the original owner or not. The raised eagle on the seal is fairly worn as if it served as a worry stone and had been rubbed with a thunb often over the years...

It feels right in my hand and the edge stropped right up. Perfect jean pocket size and just a good looking knife. I love the old spearpoint mains...they are hard for me to pass up. But I am sitting here looking at it and that seal is teasing me...telling me there is a story there but it can't, or won't tell me what it is.

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markbrower
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Re: A Camillus with a story...wish I knew what it was...

Post by markbrower »

very cool.
knife7knut
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Re: A Camillus with a story...wish I knew what it was...

Post by knife7knut »

VERY UNUSUAL KNIFE!!
If it were mine,I would consider contacting the DoJ and making inquiries about it.Might take some time but I would bet they would eventually respond.
I have made inquiries to various companies about knives and other objects I acquired over the years and have always received a response;most pretty quickly and very helpful.
As a case in point I had an old palette knife with an ad for a company that sold white lead(used in paint manufacture)that had been absorbed by another company in 1914! The company was still in business and I received a rather long response from the company's historian.Along with a bit of history of the company,he also included a really nice stainless steel coffee mug with the company logo and thanked me profusely for supplying the pictures of the knife.Here's a pic of the handles.
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Absintheur
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Re: A Camillus with a story...wish I knew what it was...

Post by Absintheur »

So far I have heard from the two previous owners but the trail ends there. Last place of ownership was an estate in California, I am currently trying to find out who to contact at the DOJ for some history.
coffeecup
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Re: A Camillus with a story...wish I knew what it was...

Post by coffeecup »

Absintheur wrote:So far I have heard from the two previous owners but the trail ends there. Last place of ownership was an estate in California, I am currently trying to find out who to contact at the DOJ for some history.
Absintheur, try contacting Dr. John Fox at the FBI's Office of Public Affairs. Last I knew, he was the historian there. Probably not the guy you need to talk to, but he should know who is. Good luck!
Quality should not be an accident. So what is the explanation for some of the knives we've seen in the past few years? (from A Knifebuyer's Manifesto)
greyelm
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Re: A Camillus with a story...wish I knew what it was...

Post by greyelm »

Is it just me or can I see glue around the button (shield)? Is it possible that a previous owner added the button themselves? It is a nice looking knife and the mystery of its origins adds to its appeal.
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Miller Bro's
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Re: A Camillus with a story...wish I knew what it was...

Post by Miller Bro's »

Here is one I have.

Same pattern and handles, different emblem on the front.

Colliers magazine.
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