Camillus 3 Line Mark on WW2 Pocketknives

[bayonetman]

Some references state that Camillus did not change from the 4 line marking of CAMILLUS / CUTLERY CO / CAMILLUS NY / U.S.A. to CAMILLUS / NEW YORK / U S A until after World War 2. Others indicate that the change may have been made prior to the end of the war.

 

I had the opportunity to pick up a navy sea bag that had been brought back in late 1945, placed in the attic of his mother's home, and never opened again. After the death of his mother, the house was put on the market, and a local antiques dealer was given the opportunity to purchase whatever he might find of value in the house. He is not interested in militaria, and calls me when he runs into something. He called me and said that there was some military in the attic, and I went to the house and bought both his Navy sea bag from WW2 and his duffel bag from his service with the local National Guard unit in Korea in 1951-52. Neither had been opened since being placed in the attic.

 

Naturally there were a lot of goodies in both bags. In the Navy bag was both his USN Mark 2 knife and the pocketknife I am showing here.

 

 

This knife is described in the Camillus WW2 records as: No. 14Q38 - Navy Dept. 4 blade Utility Jack, FG (Foster Grant plastic material-GMC) stag handle, brass lining and center scale, steel bolsters and new long shackle. Bladed spear, pen, new canopener, and long screwdr. caplift. Springs clean inside.

 

On the Camillus Knives that went to war ad that appeared in the World Telegram January 24, 1944 this knife is shown as the Navy and Coast Guard General Utility Knife (Present). (The ad is shown in Cole Book 3, pages 44 and 45)

 

I questioned the sailor (Quartermaster 2nd Class on a Destroyer Escort) and he said he bought the knife at the Ship's Store in February or March 1945.

 

The knife has the 3 line mark, so I feel the evidence is sufficient to show that this mark was used by Camillus by the beginning of 1945 and possibly earlier as I have yet to see a 14Q38 with the 4 line mark. I will show a closeup of the mark in the next post.

[bayonetman]

Three line mark from the knife shown above.

 

[dustin]

Excellent find Gary! I have done a personal study on this 3-line quandary and of the 3-line variations that I am convinced is WWII has the same bold stamped Camillus as yours.

The knife exactly like yours in my possession has been marked with the sailors name, Walter Ross MacLeod, and serial number. He last appears in muster roles in 1945.

 

I don't know if you saw this post or not presenting my case and thoughts about the subject

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/182343-camillus-utility-knives-3-line/?hl=%2Bline+%2Bcamillus

[bayonetman]

Thanks Dustin - I missed that one for some reason. Glad you agree with me.

[kilgarvan]

Was just having a few beers with my old man today on Father's Day and found an old pocket knife in his tool box. He said it was his fathers which would out it WW2 era. It's almost identical to the knives you lads have posted. Give me a few and ill post some pics of it!

 

Thanks

[kilgarvan]

Here it is. Same knife? USN issued, used? Rough shape, but, hey it was free and my grandfathers!

 

Any thoughts appreciated.

[kilgarvan]

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