Camillus Boy Scout knives
Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 5:56 pm
I apologize in advance for my English, because it is not my native language. 
The first official Boy Scout Knife Camillus did in 1947. Prior to that, he was doing only not-official or semi-official scout knives.
"BSA purchased a one year-old magazine (Boys' Life: Boys' and Boy Scouts' Magazine) with 6,100 youthful subscribers from Joe Lane, from Rhode Island, who had described his magazine as "the official magazine of the Rhode Island Boy Scouts" (not yet adsorbed by BSA) and the "unofficial publication of the Boy Scouts of America." BSA developed this publication for scouts, but it was read widely by girls and non-scouts as well. It did well, outlasting all the other competitors of that time, such as American Boy, Boys' Magazine, and the Saturday Evening Post, among others. Obviously in some early years BSA did not restrict itself to Boys' Life as its medium, for the American Boy magazine of July, 1926 showed an advertisement for an official BSA axe. Eighteen year old Norman Rockwell was hired in 1912 as an unknown artist, and his Boys' Life art efforts launched his art career and established quality artwork for BSA. Until 1976 he continued to prepare occasional scouting artwork.
In the early years Boys' Life magazine stimulated its sales by offering knives as rewards to scouts for getting new subscribers. This type of sales program has led a few modern dealers to call these unofficial knives "premium knives". Below is a listing of the unofficial knives thought as so offered. Use of unofficial knives was not unique, for the 1919 Equipment Catalog listed every available official knife as a Boys' Life subscription premium. The first two official New York Knife Company knives were available as premiums, as were the combination tool kit knife, six eating knives, and sharpening stone. There were no marks on the nine knives which distinguish these knives as associated with Boys' Life, nor were unofficial knives explained below marked to indicate association with BSA. All promotional efforts were sanctioned at the national level, and there were advertisements and catalogs in print. It is likely that the years 1913-1930 were the only ones for premiums...
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CAMILLUS KNIFE CO. (Probably between 1913-1930)
Company Notes: Knife #1 probably was between 1925 and 1945, given celluloid discontinuance date, the interstate-style shield beginning date, and four-line masterblade markings. The #2 knife could be 1915-1945 given the Sword Brand label.
Manufactured These Knives Used as Special Promotion.
CAM01BP
3.63" 4-Blade Camillus Knife Co., Black Celluloid Handle (75 S).
Shield-crossed-flags and STANDARD SCOUT on silver shield shaped much like Interstate shield. MB(M): CAMILLUS/CUTLERY CO/CAMILLUS NY. 1-rivet. Removable bail. CO(M): CANOPENER. Line on bolsters. Unusual in having only a partial nail pull on PU.
CAM02BP
3.63" 4-Blade Camillus Knife Co., Pearl Celluloid Handle (125 S).
Shield-crossed-flags and SCOUT on silver shield shaped much like Interstate shield. Removable bail. MB(M): CAMILLUS/CUTLERY CO/CAMILLUS NY/USA. MB(P): SWORD/<sword>/BRAND. CO(M): CANOPENER. 3-rivet. PU(M): SPIRAL (script)/PUNCH."
J.R. Kerr "600 Scout Knives" 1997
I have in my collection two knives that are similar to this description.
The first official Boy Scout Knife Camillus did in 1947. Prior to that, he was doing only not-official or semi-official scout knives.
"BSA purchased a one year-old magazine (Boys' Life: Boys' and Boy Scouts' Magazine) with 6,100 youthful subscribers from Joe Lane, from Rhode Island, who had described his magazine as "the official magazine of the Rhode Island Boy Scouts" (not yet adsorbed by BSA) and the "unofficial publication of the Boy Scouts of America." BSA developed this publication for scouts, but it was read widely by girls and non-scouts as well. It did well, outlasting all the other competitors of that time, such as American Boy, Boys' Magazine, and the Saturday Evening Post, among others. Obviously in some early years BSA did not restrict itself to Boys' Life as its medium, for the American Boy magazine of July, 1926 showed an advertisement for an official BSA axe. Eighteen year old Norman Rockwell was hired in 1912 as an unknown artist, and his Boys' Life art efforts launched his art career and established quality artwork for BSA. Until 1976 he continued to prepare occasional scouting artwork.
In the early years Boys' Life magazine stimulated its sales by offering knives as rewards to scouts for getting new subscribers. This type of sales program has led a few modern dealers to call these unofficial knives "premium knives". Below is a listing of the unofficial knives thought as so offered. Use of unofficial knives was not unique, for the 1919 Equipment Catalog listed every available official knife as a Boys' Life subscription premium. The first two official New York Knife Company knives were available as premiums, as were the combination tool kit knife, six eating knives, and sharpening stone. There were no marks on the nine knives which distinguish these knives as associated with Boys' Life, nor were unofficial knives explained below marked to indicate association with BSA. All promotional efforts were sanctioned at the national level, and there were advertisements and catalogs in print. It is likely that the years 1913-1930 were the only ones for premiums...
...
CAMILLUS KNIFE CO. (Probably between 1913-1930)
Company Notes: Knife #1 probably was between 1925 and 1945, given celluloid discontinuance date, the interstate-style shield beginning date, and four-line masterblade markings. The #2 knife could be 1915-1945 given the Sword Brand label.
Manufactured These Knives Used as Special Promotion.
CAM01BP
3.63" 4-Blade Camillus Knife Co., Black Celluloid Handle (75 S).
Shield-crossed-flags and STANDARD SCOUT on silver shield shaped much like Interstate shield. MB(M): CAMILLUS/CUTLERY CO/CAMILLUS NY. 1-rivet. Removable bail. CO(M): CANOPENER. Line on bolsters. Unusual in having only a partial nail pull on PU.
CAM02BP
3.63" 4-Blade Camillus Knife Co., Pearl Celluloid Handle (125 S).
Shield-crossed-flags and SCOUT on silver shield shaped much like Interstate shield. Removable bail. MB(M): CAMILLUS/CUTLERY CO/CAMILLUS NY/USA. MB(P): SWORD/<sword>/BRAND. CO(M): CANOPENER. 3-rivet. PU(M): SPIRAL (script)/PUNCH."
J.R. Kerr "600 Scout Knives" 1997
I have in my collection two knives that are similar to this description.
Thank you for sharing them!
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