Picked up a few at an antique store

[daytime dave]

On the way home from camp, we stopped at an antique store that she usually finds nice things at. Today was no exception.

I found a pair of Vintage Malone pants, complete with suspenders. I also found to decent Camillus knives.

[PT7]

That silver "US" Camillus really looks cool!

[RetiredSeabee]

Nice find good to see the New York on that blade.

[Sir Henry]

That silver "US" Camillus really looks cool!

During the Vietnam War they had the year on them. Then they omitted the year, now they have the year back on them. They are a Mil-K 818 knife.

The stainless steel MIL-K-818 was introduced in 1944, and continued to be issued at least up until 1986 with the year.

It is estimated that well over 10 million of them have been made.

The knife contains a 2 3/4" spear-point blade, can opener, screwdriver, cap lifter, and leather awl. It also has a handle bale for attaching a laynard.

Tthe “Eagle Beak can opener” in the knife was invented and patented by Imperial during the war, and since it was thought nobody would have a clue what it was for, it was deeply marked “CAN OPENER” on the blade!

Another feature on the knives made between 1944 and 1972 is a serrated stud projecting from the side of the screwdriver/cap lifter blade.
For years nobody, including most of the manufactures, knew exactly what it was for.

Some suggested it was to keep dimes from sticking between the blades.
Others thought it was to open the screwdriver/cap lifter blade.
But if either were the case, why didn’t the can opener on the other end have the serrated pin too??

Finally, some obscure WWII document was found in the Camillus factory archives stating the stud was
”To Assist in Taking Down Small Arms.”

It turns out the serrated non-slip stud is perfect for prying the extractor off an 03 Springfield bolt, punching the pins out of a 1911 pistol, M1 Garand, or M1 Carbine trigger group, holding down the stock band retainer spring on M-1 Carbines and 03 Springfield’s, and a host of other uses, on a host of other weapons of the time.

Some unknown designer really did his homework on that little feature right there!
Anyway, the handy dandy pin-punch was eliminated on the 1972 contract, and never seen again.

The knives were officially made by:
Camillus, Imperial, Queen, Ulster, & Schrade.

[PT7]

Thanks for the history, SH. That really adds to the knife. Again, good buy, DD!

[daytime dave]

Thanks for that history. The part about the pin makes perfect sense.

The army knife is a 1991. I took a picture of it, but it didn't upload to photobucket for some reason.

I looked on photobucket and now it's there.

[CT_Shooter]

Very cool, Dave. Many antiques seem to gain value because of their aging and patina. Would these be like that, or do you think you'll try to restore their original luster?

[daytime dave]

I usually just add them to the collection without trying to restore them. The older Camillus is going there. I don't think it will gain in value. I gave ten for the older one and fifteen for the Army knife. I thought that was fair. The new Camillus will be put into limited service. I sharpened it, put it on the strop and can shave with it. I like it because of the screw driver and the bale.

I might carry it daily for a while. I have relegated my Chinese made everyday pocket knife back to the collection. I will carry a buck or that Camillus every day. I'm leaning towards the Camillus right now.

[Catherine]

Very cool knives. Congrats!

I had several of them here in my home like the ones that you bought.

I gifted some (U.S. Military - NY MADE Camillus with dates.) to a few friends and gave some to a charity that raises funds for Veterans and the Homeless people.

I gifted and donated some other knives too. So did my MT husband. We only sold a few knives and most of our knives went to our friends and to their children. Some went to charity with other items.

Dave, I would have sent you some of them for free if I knew you well back at the time or knew that you collected various knives. Oh well. We would have sent some of them to a post office box if needed. Oh well - they have good homes now.

ENJOY your knives.

Blessings to you and yours.

Cate

[Catherine]

PS:

My MT husband wears Malone pants too.

He wears Filson clothing and other older items too.

He loves his blue jeans but has to wear a better set of pants/slacks for a few days of the week at the office.

Cate