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Mystery Knife

Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 11:52 pm
by pocketkeeper
I picked up this "mystery" knife at a Florida yard sale. The main blade is marked "WATERVILLE Cutlery Co. Conn" which would be a pre-1890 blade. The pen blade is Camillus with the curved mark with a broken underline and dot in the middle (1902-1916) Both blades are tight with very strong snap and half stops.
My guess is the knife is Camillus with a Waterville replacement blade. The tang of the Waterville blade sits too high above the bolster when closed although it does line up with the spring when open.
On the other hand the pen blade sits a bit too low in the body and there is a crudely fashioned "easy open" notch to allow access to the nail nick. So perhaps the knife is Waterville with a Camillus replacement blade.
A third theoretical possibility is BOTH blades are replacements in some unknown knife body.
Perhaps the shield is a clue.
The knife as is, has amost no collector value but I think its mysterious history is fascinating. What do you think the original knife is?

Re: Mystery Knife

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:06 am
by philco
Going on gut feeling alone, I'm gonna say it's a Watterville with a well worn main blade and a replacement Camillus secondary pen blade. I'm out on a limb here but hey, that's nothing new. Cool knife whatever the linage. ::tu::

Re: Mystery Knife

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:27 am
by knife7knut
I'm with Phil on this one;definitely shaped like a Connecticut Valley knife(Waterville;American Knife & Shear;etc.)I have a couple of handles like that and are just begging to be filled with new blades.

Re: Mystery Knife

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:37 am
by RobesonsRme.com
That puts three of us out on that limb. I think the knife is Waterville, too.

I agree the notch is not original, but put there to allow access the Camillus pen blade.

Charlie Noyes

Re: Mystery Knife

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 2:39 am
by peanut740
Ditto the 3 wise men. 8)

Re: Mystery Knife

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 9:25 pm
by pocketkeeper
Thanks guys. I like those replies as I have lots of Camillus knives but only one other Waterville. So am glad it is the Waterville.... also I believe that makes it a lot older than the Camillus mark. According to Goins the Waterville would be pre- 1890. I like 'em the older the better. Knives that is.

Re: Mystery Knife

Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2017 9:38 pm
by Mumbleypeg
Knife doesn't look like Camillus to me, so I'm throwing in with the wise guys! ::nod::

Ken