Still-A-Marine Posted June 27, 2011 Share #1 Posted June 27, 2011 My Camillus USMC shield bone handled Engineer Knife. I believe this would be post war. It has the 3 line Camillus mark. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayonetman Posted June 27, 2011 Share #2 Posted June 27, 2011 You didn't mention whether it has brass or steel liners. In my OPINION this knife was made prior to the end of WW2, in fact possibly as early as late 1944. That opinion is based on these factors (still need to know what the liners are made from, if steel almost certainly wartime). 1. The three line marking appears on almost all of the Navy and Coast Guard General Utility Knives (Camillus # 14S13) that I have ever seen. These knives are known to have begun to be delivered prior to January 1945. 2. Your knife has the "old" pattern can opener and screwdriver/caplifter. Late war production had gone almost entirely to the newer patterns. 3. By the end of the war the Marines had basically dropped the bone handle knives and were only ordering the newer steel scaled knives (similar to the current stainless 4 blade knife). 4. Your knife appears to have the short shackle (bail / clevice - all these names were used by Camillus) and again by the end of the war most knives were being made with the longer shackle. Whatever, it is one of my favorite pocketknives and I envy you finding a nice USMC marked one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted June 27, 2011 Brass liners. Gary, Thanks for the information. I will note it as being WWII. I was basing it being post WWII on Silvey's article in OKC Knewsletter Oct 2007. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Still-A-Marine Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted June 27, 2011 Whatever, it is one of my favorite pocketknives and I envy you finding a nice USMC marked one. Thanks Gary. It was one I spent years looking for. I had the Imperial USMC round shield and a couple of the USMC round shield marked Made In USA. But the Camillus bone USMC was very elusive. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfields Posted June 27, 2011 Share #5 Posted June 27, 2011 Hi Bill. Nice find! I'm still looking for one too. Kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted February 7, 2012 Share #6 Posted February 7, 2012 To add to the confusion here's a USN version and a USMC version I picked up today. I've had the USN version for a while and thought it was broken because the main blade does not close all the way. Well, the USMC knife has the same problem, so I assume it's a design flaw! Notice the USMC version does not have a bail and it looks it never did: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted February 7, 2012 Share #7 Posted February 7, 2012 Only three blades on the USN version: Note the size differences in the brass liners: Both have three-line marks (the USA is hidden): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted February 7, 2012 Share #8 Posted February 7, 2012 I envy you finding a nice USMC marked one. That makes two of us! Congrats, Bill! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomcatPC Posted February 7, 2012 Share #9 Posted February 7, 2012 I'd like to find a Navy version one of these days. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsellati Posted February 8, 2012 Share #10 Posted February 8, 2012 I have an MD-USN marked Camillus folder, but not a USMC marked one. The two shown above are particularly nice examples. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted February 8, 2012 Share #11 Posted February 8, 2012 I'd like to find a Navy version one of these days.Mark I've got that Navy one in the FOR SALE section now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomcatPC Posted February 8, 2012 Share #12 Posted February 8, 2012 When I said I would love to have one, that was before I knew how much they were being sold for LOL. If I find one at an antique shop out of the blue for a cheap price, then I will grab it, but don't have the cash to spend too much on things now. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted February 8, 2012 Share #13 Posted February 8, 2012 When I said I would love to have one, that was before I knew how much they were being sold for LOL. If I find one at an antique shop out of the blue for a cheap price, then I will grab it, but don't have the cash to spend too much on things now.Mark I just bought about 300 knives so I can related to being broke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomcatPC Posted February 8, 2012 Share #14 Posted February 8, 2012 I'm such a "bottom feeder" when it comes to buying things LOL. Working part time and going to school part time...I can buy things, but not too much. So what is a normal price for most people, is outer limits to me right now LOL. When I see someone post things I like, like this USN Knife, or the USN Rain Parka yesterday, a lot of times I fire off a comment saying something like "I'd love to have one of those". Well, I'm not lying...I just don't have the cash to back that statement up LOL. The good side is when I find something I want that I can afford by accident...it is a fun little victory LOL. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted February 19, 2012 Share #15 Posted February 19, 2012 I know this thread is a little old now but I thought this might be within the subject even though my knife isn’t a USMC. I’ve always thought this knife was post WW2 because of the 3-line tang stamp. Now I hear that the 3-line is known to be around before Jan45. Are there other features of this knife that may help narrow down the appropriate time frame? It’s made from all steel including the bolsters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSchlagan Posted February 21, 2012 Share #16 Posted February 21, 2012 To add to the confusion here's a USN version and a USMC version I picked up today. I've had the USN version for a while and thought it was broken because the main blade does not close all the way. Well, the USMC knife has the same problem, so I assume it's a design flaw! http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//m...-1328597869.jpg http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//m...-1328598151.jpg I believe that the "design flaw" likely has stemmed from fact that some people insist on using a grinder to sharpen a blade. The springs appear to be reasonably flush on the pivot end, and unless there is something jamming the blade from fully closing, it looks to me as both examples (esp. the USMC version), were 'exuberantly' sharpened. Excessive wear, blade-rocker-pivot area, can also cause this; though, these both appear to be 'grinder made'. I've seen many folders in similar condition. ***** I know this thread is a little old now but I thought this might be within the subject even though my knife isn’t a USMC. I’ve always thought this knife was post WW2 because of the 3-line tang stamp. Now I hear that the 3-line is known to be around before Jan45. Are there other features of this knife that may help narrow down the appropriate time frame? It’s made from all steel including the bolsters. I would suppose that the steel liners would also help to date it as possible War production-era parts, being as the marking on shield. Nice knife! Regards, Don. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactroop Posted February 21, 2012 Share #17 Posted February 21, 2012 Thanks Don. I've always liked it just for the knife it was. Always trying to learn a little more as I go along though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now