July 23, 201016 yr #1 I am going to combine some of the posts on these knives into a single one to post on the Reference section one of these days.Quick background. In 1944 a project was started to develop a single pocketknife that would replace several knives to simplify purchase, inventory and issue. Although it did not succeed in the original goal, it did result in a knife that became the predecessor of the current stainless MIL-K 818.1944-45 production of the KNIFE, POCKET, GENERAL PURPOSE had stainless steel handles, carbon steel blades, and brass liners. Production was first for the Marines, and then the Army. KINGSTON made ones for both (Marine ones are marked U.S.MARINE CORPS). Kingston was a trade name used by a combination of Ulster Knife and Imperial Knife. Stevenson of Buffalo NY (as far as I know) made them only for the Army.First production was for the Marines, and had the cap lifter/screwdriver blade on the same end as the main blade, but production was later changed to have it on the other end as is currently used on the MIL-K 818.There are a number of maker marking variations on the bails, ranging from none (apparently Kingston) to Kingston and Stevenson and Stevenson-45.I recently acquired this specimen which has a marking set that I have not seen before. The bail is marked KINGSTON on one side, and U.S. 45 on the other. The can opener is marked CAN OPENER and the main blade is marked USA. An interesting version that I had not seen before.
July 23, 201016 yr #2 Were any made with no markings at all? :think: I visited an antique shop a couple weeks ago where a collector had two which were unmarked for 11$ each. :ermm:
July 23, 201016 yr #3 I am going to combine some of the posts on these knives into a single one to post on the Reference section one of these days. Gary, That would be great. Thanks for sharing!
July 23, 201016 yr #4 Gary, That would be great. Thanks for sharing! I second that. Or maybe start a Knife Points to go along with the outstanding material in your Bayonet Points. :thumbsup: Bill
July 23, 201016 yr Author #6 Were any made with no markings at all? :think: I visited an antique shop a couple weeks ago where a collector had two which were unmarked for 11$ each. :ermm: Yes, some (apparently made by Kingston) are found with no markings whatsoever. There are both Army and Marine versions with no maker mark on the bail.
July 24, 201016 yr #7 What a great topic. I have been collecting these for years and still am learning about them. Variants seem to pop up all the time. Stevenson Mfg Co. was in Rochester NY. They procured parts from Robeson Shuredge, note the can opener style they used. The Army changed the can opener position to make it easier to cut square cornered cans. The Marines didn't care as they had hundreds of thousands made already. The extra long bail was made to slip over the meat can handle and clean your knife along with your mess spoon and fork when sterilizing your eating utensils. It was to do away with the mess kit knife, the mountain knife, the TL29, the Med Dept knife, the Engineers knife, the Navy rope knife, etc. The services and the users fought for their own designs and most won. The Med Dept found the folding blades held pieces of food and could not be cleaned properly with a hot dip so the mess kit knife was never replaced. The Signal Corps wanted a locking screwdriver blade so they kept the TL29. The Navy wanted a thick blade that could be hammered on to cut rope, they kept theirs, etc... Just rambling... All the best Frank Trzaska
September 7, 201312 yr #8 Gary, or Frank, I have two Marine versions; one marked "Can Opener - Patent Pend.", while the second one just says "Can Opener." Is the one marked "Patent Pend." the earlier one? Any idea of the years of production of the two varieties? Thank you.
September 8, 201312 yr #9 Because I just happen to have my stainless steel knives out, I thought I would answer this question. My 1944 knives have "Pat Pend" under "Can Opener" (both Army and USMC) and my 1945 knives either have no markings (one Army, one USMC) or just "Can Opener" (the Army one with "Stevenson 45" on the bail).
September 8, 201312 yr #10 I saw one today with = Q 1966 or 1986 on the main blade, all steel, round wire bail, stamped "can opener", no brass dividers. Who made it, 1966 or 1986? Thanx, Chuck.
September 8, 201312 yr #11 I saw one today with = Q 1966 or 1986 on the main blade, all steel, round wire bail, stamped "can opener", no brass dividers. Who made it, 1966 or 1986? Thanx, Chuck. Assuming it is a US issue with US on the side, look for a pin on the screw driver to help open the blade. They transitioned the pin out in 1973/1974 so if there is a pin, then 1966, if no pin, then 1986. Not sure who made it as the ones I've got or handled had Camillus, Imperial, or Shrade over the date. I've never seen one with just a "Q."
September 8, 201312 yr #12 I saw one today with = Q 1966 or 1986 on the main blade, all steel, round wire bail, stamped "can opener", no brass dividers. Who made it, 1966 or 1986? Thanx, Chuck. Made by Queen in 1986. Queen only made them in 1986. You can find them in two versions. One has the Q inverted. Bill
September 8, 201312 yr #13 Because I just happen to have my stainless steel knives out, I thought I would answer this question. My 1944 knives have "Pat Pend" under "Can Opener" (both Army and USMC) and my 1945 knives either have no markings (one Army, one USMC) or just "Can Opener" (the Army one with "Stevenson 45" on the bail). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you, thorin6--I appreciate it.
September 15, 201312 yr #14 Thanx Bill, mine does not have the inverted Q. Then it is 1986, thanx Thorin. I went back today and bought it, $17.50. Chuck
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