Is this a WWII era utility pocket knife or post war? I have never seen one that was just marked Made In USA.

A:

I would say pre-1945 as it does not have the later style of can opener that came into use at the end of the war.

Regards,
Charlie Fllick

Would this have been a military issue/military used item, or a civilian knife?

Yes, USGI.

Charlie

To quote from Mike Silvey's book Pocket Knives of the United States Military page 52 - "Many of the knives were marked only "Made in USA" and these are probably the product of a joint effort by Imperial Knife Company and Ulster Knife Company..."

I agree that the Made in USA was a common Imperial/Ulster (Kingston) tang marking.

Just something to think about, the safety can opener was Patented. It was used by the government at will without regard to the Patent for the duration of the war and afterwards as well. In the commercial world of knife sales the Patent was enforced and many companies reverted back to pre war can openers after the war. Albert Baer being affiliated with Imperial, Ulster and Camillus shared his Patent quite freely among his companies.

All the best
Frank Trzaska