All About Pocket Knives

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.

very cool.

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.

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 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!

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.

Here is one I have.

Same pattern and handles, different emblem on the front.

Colliers magazine.