Charlie Flick Posted August 5, 2012 Share #1 Posted August 5, 2012 Guys:The pilot/aircrew knives have always been a favorite of mine, and the Jet Pilot Knives in particular. However, the earlier Pilot Survival Knives of the 1950s have not gotten as much attention as the JPKs. Frank Trzaska did much to properly identify the Pilot Survival Knives for collectors when he wrote about them in Knife World some years ago. This illuminated the subject as Cole's Book III had them incorrectly listed as Navy Mark I variants.This Imperial Knife Co. example is one that I picked up long ago. As it was in its original wrapper I could not resist it when I ran across it. As can be seen the wrapper (which was already opened when I made the buy) is dated August, 1954. I had some time this weekend to take some pics of it so here are a few.The blade marking.Regards,Charlie Flick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted August 5, 2012 Share #2 Posted August 5, 2012 Charlie, beautiful knife. I really like it that you have the packaging. I've thought for a long time that the sheath with the notch in it was standard issue and correct with either a strait guard or bent guard pilots knife. Some of my knife friends thought those sheaths were only correct for the pilots knives that had the bent (M3 style) guard.Since both types of sheaths exist and so many of the knifes show up either naked or with an after market sheath it's been hard to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted August 5, 2012 Share #3 Posted August 5, 2012 Charlie- First time I have ever seen one with the original wrapper. Very nice! Thanks for showing. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony V Posted August 5, 2012 Share #4 Posted August 5, 2012 Charlie OUTSTANDING :twothumbup: I am sure this will be a first view for many of us. Thank you so much for taking the time to photo and post a fine JP. WOW! Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Trzaska Posted August 5, 2012 Share #5 Posted August 5, 2012 Charlie, Beautiful knife and love that packaging! Thank you for posting it with the nomenclature showing! All the best Frank Trzaska Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted August 6, 2012 Share #6 Posted August 6, 2012 Good one, Charlie! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted August 6, 2012 Share #7 Posted August 6, 2012 Nice Charlie Thats a crispy one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted August 6, 2012 Share #8 Posted August 6, 2012 Nice CharlieThats a crispy one. REALLY..........That's right off the press!! WOW :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccyooper Posted August 7, 2012 Share #9 Posted August 7, 2012 Thank you for pssting. I did not know they originally had a rounded type scabbard. Very nice, CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share #10 Posted August 12, 2012 You guys seemed to enjoy seeing the packaging on the Imperial Pilot Survival Knife above, so I thought you might like this pic as well. It shows the sealed packaging for a Shrade-Walden Cutlery Co. Pilot Survival Knife dated October 1956. I wish this one was in my collection as well but it already has a good home at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola. (Photo credit NMNA).Regards,Charlie Flick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Trzaska Posted August 12, 2012 Share #11 Posted August 12, 2012 Awesome, thanks Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted December 9, 2017 Share #12 Posted December 9, 2017 Great looking knives, Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misfit 45 Posted December 10, 2017 Share #13 Posted December 10, 2017 I'm glad you restored the photos. Your opening post is a real treasure. Thanks for showing it. It's beautiful! Marv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted December 10, 2017 Share #14 Posted December 10, 2017 Always good to see the packaging, makes me check things a little closer at gun & militaria shows. Thanks for showing all those little beauties. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gap Posted December 16, 2017 Share #15 Posted December 16, 2017 Great pics Charlie thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geno Posted November 22, 2022 Share #16 Posted November 22, 2022 I have acquired this knife at a thrift store and read this story a while back and would like to share a few photos of this knife and welcome any info on this knife being I can't find not a whole lot on this except this thread on this site... Thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKIPH Posted November 22, 2022 Share #17 Posted November 22, 2022 Geno- Beautiful 1950s pilot knife, in the wrapper to boot. Thanks for showing, and welcome the the web site. SKIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted November 22, 2022 Author Share #18 Posted November 22, 2022 1 hour ago, Geno said: I can't find not a whole lot on this except this thread on this site... Hello Geno: Welcome to the Forum. You will like it here. As it happens there are in fact several very informative threads on the Pilot Survival Knife here on the forum. Here is one that I thought might be especially useful for you in your search for more information on these interesting blades. Regards, Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted November 22, 2022 Author Share #19 Posted November 22, 2022 Besides being handsome, useful blades the Pilot Survival Knives are fun for collectors as they have several variants to chase, apart from the 3 manufacturers (Imperial, Schrade and Camillus). There are bent guards like the M3 style vs. straight guards; variations in the markings such as the CAMILLUS and CAMILLUS N.Y. versions, and the IMPERIAL with a crown vs. the IMPERIAL in block letters; differences in the coloration of the end spacers; and the two types of sheaths. There are even civilian versions of this knife. Most collectors would be satisfied with nice examples of the blades by the 3 makers while the fanatics among us (me included) like to seek out the versions with the small, some would say insignificant variations. Regards, Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geno Posted November 22, 2022 Share #20 Posted November 22, 2022 I know what you mean Charlie, it's like eating a great cookie, just can't stop with just one... lol Been collecting for some years and have a few I have found but always looking for something unique... We all want to find something that is hard to attain. I will post in the proper locals in this forum... Cheers, Geno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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