Dates for the Camillus JPK (Jet Pilot Knife)

[bayonetman]

As many of you know, besides bayonets I have an interest in Camillus military knives. One of those that I collect is the JPK, correctly the Knife, Sheathed, Hunting, Survival, Pilot's

 

As a part of this, I am trying to determine the dates on the pommel of Camillus produced knives.

 

So far I have recorded: 1-1967, 3-1967, 5-1967, 4-1968, 11-1968, 2-1971, 2-1972, 3-1974, 2-1978, 8-1979, 8-1981, 11-1981, 1-1983, 4-1983, 10-1983, 2-1984, 5-1984, and 3-1985.

 

I am sure that there are more as I have just recently begun recording them. Would those of you that have a JPK check and let me know of any dates other than the ones listed above? It would be greatly appreciated and after awhile, I will repost the list. And no, I am not trying to get one of each date (at least not yet).

[robinb]

I have 10-1975.

[sactroop]

Here's the S-card from Camillus showing the change to the pommel. Tom Williams told me that the date stamping was done by the sub contractor that provided them with the pommels, thus the gaps in the months seen for each year.

 

[sactroop]

1-1969 & 2-1980

[sactroop]

Also a Camillus sheath marked January 1976 (???)

[bayonetman]

Also a Camillus sheath marked January 1976 (???)

Here we get into something that is VERY confusing to me - the sheaths and their markings or lack thereof.

 

I only have 4 Camillus sheaths where the markings on the back are readable. All four show Contract/Order numbers starting with GS which makes them General Services orders for the PX type sales - I have none that show a normal military contract number. I am sure they exist (and they do for other makers) but I don't have one in my records. Anyone who has a clearly readable Camillus sheath with a military contract number, could you please post a photo of it or PM me a photo!

 

Another thing that causes me confusion is the dating of the metal tip protectors - both the short and long versions. When did they actually appear? I know when the specifications were added, but it appears that sheaths without the metal protectors were delivered long after the specifications changed. I do have a photo of a December 1969 dated Camillus sheath with the yellowish short tip protector, but it has the GS order number, not a military contract number.

 

Comments are greatly appreciated, and I will add this thread to the pinned section on the JPK once it has run its course.

[Charlie Flick]

Hi Gary:

 

I have the following pommel marked Camillus JP blades:

 

2-1978 (This was a USCG issued blade.)

2-1979 (This was a plated blade example.)

1-1967 (This was dual marked example with the blade marked Camillus N.Y. as well as the pommel.)

 

I will have to check the sheath markings for you later on.

 

Regards,

Charlie

[RustyCanteen]

Hi Gary,

 

I will check, but I believe you already have the dates I have. I thought I remembered a 2-89, but I must be thinking of an Ontario? This is a nice project, and I wish you luck!

 

RC

[sactroop]

Here we get into something that is VERY confusing to me - the sheaths and their markings or lack thereof.

 

I only have 4 Camillus sheaths where the markings on the back are readable. All four show Contract/Order numbers starting with GS which makes them General Services orders for the PX type sales - I have none that show a normal military contract number. I am sure they exist (and they do for other makers) but I don't have one in my records. Anyone who has a clearly readable Camillus sheath with a military contract number, could you please post a photo of it or PM me a photo!

 

Another thing that causes me confusion is the dating of the metal tip protectors - both the short and long versions. When did they actually appear? I know when the specifications were added, but it appears that sheaths without the metal protectors were delivered long after the specifications changed. I do have a photo of a December 1969 dated Camillus sheath with the yellowish short tip protector, but it has the GS order number, not a military contract number.

 

Comments are greatly appreciated, and I will add this thread to the pinned section on the JPK once it has run its course.

 

Gary, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who doesn't feel comfortable about the JPSK sheaths, misery loves company.

The January 1976 sheath is a GS number.

Of the sheaths I've seen that the ink stamps are legible only one isn't a GS number and that one is March 1967, so it does pre-date the metal tip protectors.

 

Like you I haven't been able to observe a significant number of examples to feel comfortable with what I'm seeing yet, but the tendency so far seems to be that the date on the pommel stamp will be earlier than the date ink stamped on the sheath, usually 1-4 months different. Then I'll run across an example where the ink stamp is 2 months earlier than the pommel date, just to make me scratch my head.

In the very few examples, (3), where the knife and sheath are in the original sealed packaging, and I can read everything, the ink stamped date on the sheath matched the packaging date, while the pommel date was earlier, again the sheath had the GS number. IMHO, still not enough of a sample set to get comfortable with.

 

I have uncovered the list I started myself like this one a while back and there is a (5-1973) Camillus in there. Otherwise it contains examples that you already have.

 

Heres an image of that March 1967 ink stamp.

 

[PASGT]

I have 11-1968 and 10-1970 JPKs, I have also 1968 sheath ink stamped. If you want the foto, I will post it. Let me know.

[bayonetman]

Thanks to all. Here is the current list. As stated, these are ones that I have actually seen, either in person or by photograph.

 

Any of you that have readable markings on the sheaths, please post them!

 

I have a couple of odd knives that I will post in the next few days for comments. Keep checking back, those of you that find these interesting.

 

1-1967 3-1967 5-1967

4-1968 11-1968

1-1969

10-1970

2-1971

2-1972

3-1973 5-1973

3-1974

10-1975

2-1978

2-1979 8-1979

2-1980 11-1980

8-1981

11-1981

1-1983 4-1983 10-1983

2-1984 5-1984

3-1985

[VNAMVET70]

Recently acquired a 1970 JPSK that is not on the list. The pommel date is 1-1970. I had been looking for a 1970 JPSK for 6 months.  Is there a list showing how many JPSKs were made for each year? 

[WarBaby]

I have a New in Wrap JPK, if I remember right its 1967 dated but ill have to check the month.

[sactroop]

If it's 1967, January, March, or May,  otherwise it would be a first for what I've seen.

[WarBaby]

2 minutes ago, sactroop said:

If it's 1967, January, March, or May,  otherwise it would be a first for what I've seen.

 You've got me curious - let me go check it out.

[WarBaby]

On 2/15/2023 at 6:57 PM, WarBaby said:

 You've got me curious - let me go check it out.

 

Yep. March of 1967.

[sactroop]

Here’s the latest update to Gary’s list of:

Camillus Jet Pilot Survival knives, dated pommels.

 

1-1967 3-1967 5-1967

4-1968 11-1968

1-1969

1-1970  10-1970

2-1971

2-1972

3-1973 5-1973

3-1974

10-1975

2-1978

2-1979 8-1979

2-1980 11-1980

8-1981 11-1981

1-1983 4-1983 10-1983

2-1984 5-1984

3-1985

 

I do follow this thread.  So I get notifications for new postings here.  I will update the list when new pommel dates are discovered for the Camillus JPSK's. I think that's the least I can do for Gary.

I would ask that any new listings include a photo, just as VNAMVET70 did in his recent post here.  

Thanks in advance.

[VNAMVET70]

Sactroop, Glad to see you picked up the torch. Just realized I have another JPSK that is not on the list. It is Camillus 10-1969. See photo.

[sactroop]

Thanks, I've added it to the list.  I'll wait a little bit before I post the updated list, incase we get some more new entries.

[sactroop]

Here’s the latest update to Gary’s list of:

Camillus Jet Pilot Survival knives, dated pommels.

 

1-1967, 3-1967, 5-1967

4-1968, 11-1968

1-1969, 10-1969

1-1970, 10-1970

2-1971

2-1972

3-1973, 5-1973

3-1974

10-1975

2-1978

2-1979, 8-1979

2-1980, 11-1980

8-1981, 11-1981

1-1983, 4-1983, 10-1983

2-1984, 5-1984

3-1985

 

 

 

[VNAMVET70]

Another Camillus JPK for the list. The pommel date is 8-1978

[sactroop]

Got it here's the latest:

 

1-1967, 3-1967, 5-1967

4-1968, 11-1968

1-1969, 10-1969

1-1970, 10-1970

2-1971

2-1972

3-1973, 5-1973

3-1974

10-1975

2-1978, 8-1978

2-1979, 8-1979

2-1980, 11-1980

8-1981, 11-1981

1-1983, 4-1983, 10-1983

2-1984, 5-1984

3-1985

 

The picture makes it look like a 4-sided pommel.  I'm sure it's just the angle  of the camera to the knife.