Still-A-Marine Posted October 21, 2013 Share #1 Posted October 21, 2013 Here are my Camillus rope knives. The top two are the ones I want to discuss. The top two are bone with a little different blade shape. I think these are the knife pictured in Mike Silvey's Pocket Knives of the United States Military on page 38. The top one has the 4 line Camillus marking. The second one has the 3 line Camillus hyphenated marking (CAMILLUS / CUTLERY CO / NEW-YORK) as shown on page 38. I think the clevis has been replaced on both. Neither has the UNITED STATES NAVY etching on the blade but I would think that would wear off pretty easily. To me it appears the blades are the same on the top two. The top knife with the 4 line Camillus marking is not the WWII version as seen on the bottom three. I would think this is a case of the marking changing from the 3 line hyphenated version to the 4 line version. What do ya'll think? Top to Bottom: WWI: CAMILLUS / CUTLERY CO. / CAMILLUS, N.Y. / U.S.A. WWI: CAMILLUS / CUTLERY CO / NEW-YORK WWII: CAMILLUS / CUTLERY CO. / CAMILLUS.N.Y. / U.S.A. (no USCG marking) WWII: CAMILLUS / CUTLERY CO. / CAMILLUS.N.Y. / U.S.A. with APPROVED / U S C G / 1944 Q5 WWII: CAMILLUS / NEW YORK / U.S.A. with APPROVED / U S C G / 1944 Q5 Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted October 21, 2013 4 line marking (top knife) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted October 21, 2013 3 line marking (2nd knife) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted October 22, 2013 Share #4 Posted October 22, 2013 I think that you have an excellent collection of rope knives! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted October 22, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted October 22, 2013 Let me ask the question a little differently. Do you think the top knife in the picture (4 line bone Camillus) is WWI or WWII? Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony V Posted October 22, 2013 Share #6 Posted October 22, 2013 Bill Great collection ! I have a nice spot picked out for all five .........when I find them. I beleive the top one could be WWI. I did read some place that these were made prior to the 20's, maybe earler. I do not have any paperwork on this but may be one guys, or ladies will. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeed Posted October 25, 2013 Share #7 Posted October 25, 2013 Let me ask the question a little differently. Do you think the top knife in the picture (4 line bone Camillus) is WWI or WWII? Bill According to Goins' Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings the 3 line hyphenated NEW-YORK was used 1915-1918 and the 4 line began in 1919. I have 5 different WW1 era Camillus pocket knives - the small rope type w/ manicure blade, the 3 blade Signal Corps, the Signal Corps electricians, the Marlin Spike, and the "Red Cross" knife. All these have the 4 line marking. I'm certainly no expert on anything, but I'm betting the 4 line started sometime before 1919 and yours is in that transitional period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted October 25, 2013 According to Goins' Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings the 3 line hyphenated NEW-YORK was used 1915-1918 and the 4 line began in 1919. I have 5 different WW1 era Camillus pocket knives - the small rope type w/ manicure blade, the 3 blade Signal Corps, the Signal Corps electricians, the Marlin Spike, and the "Red Cross" knife. All these have the 4 line marking. I'm certainly no expert on anything, but I'm betting the 4 line started sometime before 1919 and yours is in that transitional period. I also have the "New Navy" (small rope type with manicure blade), "Red Cross", and Marlin Spike. All with the 4 line marking. The "Red Cross" and the rope knife with manicure are supposed to be WWI. The Marlin Spike is supposed to be WWII. I agree with your thinking - transitional. Thanks for the information from Goins. I may have to get me a copy. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avigo Posted October 26, 2013 Share #9 Posted October 26, 2013 I know very little about these, but that's a real nice collection! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyflorida Posted November 25, 2014 Share #10 Posted November 25, 2014 Are you available Still- a- Marine? I would love to talk to you about your Camillus knives please . Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted November 25, 2014 Are you available Still- a- Marine? I would love to talk to you about your Camillus knives please . Gary Yep. I'm still around. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyflorida Posted November 26, 2014 Share #12 Posted November 26, 2014 Fantastic Bill. I am in the process of tracking down some of these rope knives from the past. I have had some good luck so I can't complain. You have a terrific collection and I am in a rut with some Camillus knives. Any recommendation on where or how to find the WW1 model would be greatly appreciated. thanks, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted November 27, 2014 I have had some luck on eBay. I have found them misslabeled and with poor pictures. Using photoshop I was able to make the pictures reveal enough for me to feel comfortable bidding. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted May 7, 2015 Share #14 Posted May 7, 2015 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted May 8, 2015 Author Share #15 Posted May 8, 2015 Thanks Dustin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted May 8, 2015 Share #16 Posted May 8, 2015 Your welcome, I thought it a bit significant as it mentions "of an approved type" and it describes these rope knives quite well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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