Camillus Pilot Survival Knives [long or short]

[Colonel666]

Hi. Look at these two knives in the photo below. The one on the left is a 1972 and the one on the right has no date. Both are Camillus but one has a 1" longer blade. Why?

PS: I made the leather sheath for the 5" myself...

[coffeecup]

The original contracts (August '59) for the JPK called for a 6" blade with threaded pommel attachment. In June of '60, the contract was changed to requiring a peened pommel (as was used on all later production). In August '61, a 5" blade was specified.

Until January '67, the blades were tang-stamped (like your undated 6" example). As of January '67 production, the makers were to stamp the pommel with their name and the month/year of production. (There was some overlap, when tang-stamped blades were assembled with dated pommels. I've always thought these were kind of neat.)

[Colonel666]

Hi. Thanks. I attach a photo of the peened pommel that makes this 6" a 1960 model:

[MITCH RAPP]

I love the original Camillus Pilot and Marine Knives, I have accumulated 4 of them through the years! Too lazy to dig them out for photos. Only have pics of one and catalog photos of the others.

[orvet]

Nice collection Mitch!

Here is an earlier & longer pilot (aircrew) survival knife by Camillus aka, the Folding Bolo-

Here it is folded-

[Colonel666]

Hi. The survival machete is great. The handle should fold out to cover the entire blade edge. I know how well "Orvet" makes customs. To re-arrange a genuine item like this would be quite a task. Most would say no to such a deed. If it were possible to convert you surely would be able to! Thanks for all the photos.

[ken6]

All Camillus

[orvet]

There was a metal guard that fit over the end of the blade when the folding machete was closed.
This guard is missing on about 2/3 of the ones I see offered for sale, & on this one as well.
Since the guard was not attached to the knife it was often lost or perhaps even thrown away if the user had the leather sheath for the knife.

[carrmillus]

I love the original Camillus Pilot and Marine Knives, I have accumulated 4 of them through the years! Too lazy to dig them out for photos. Only have pics of one and catalog photos of the others.

.......mitch, love these!!!.......especially the john wayne version!!!....wish i could find one of those!!!!.............. ........................

[glennbad]

Here's a couple...this first one is my dad's, dated 3-1967...




This one's a 1984...




I've got an Ontario also, but that doesn't qualify for this thread....

[jerryd6818]

I've got an Ontario also, but that doesn't qualify for this thread....

Me too.