Camillus Commemorative Pilot Survival Knife - need some info

C

Chee

Joined
Mar 10, 2002
Messages
3
Hi,

I'm a new owner of a Camillus Commemorative Pilot Survival Knife and was trying to get more info on it.

It looks like a standard knife with 5" polished black, unsharpened blade with gold plated guard and pommel. It has a gold inscription on the blade reading:-

"U.S. Army Air Force 1943-1945 - Battle Over Europe" with a nice picture of a B17G. Unit markings are clearly visible on the B17 (including tiny aircraft serial) and I might even look it up when I have time. I'm presuming it's 8th Air Force.

I'm trying to find out when it was released, how many were initally released, initial release price and an idea of the value of the knife now.

Also if there was any info on why that particular B17G was selected. Perhaps there were different knives commemorating different units and aircraft ?

Even if it's in the class of the "ole'Manchurian railway track" it's a very nice display piece and will go well with my tiny collection of military knives - currently a USMC Ka-Bar, Commando Stiletto and Gerber style boot knife.

I'd be grateful for any help - Thanks.

Chee.
 
Hmmm.......nobody seems to know anything about this knife.

For anybody who's interested, I've managed to find out that the B17G belongs to the 602nd Squadron, 398th Bomb Group (Heavy), 8th AAF, operating from Nuthampstead, England from 6 May'44 - 25 April'45.

This group flew 195 combat missions over Europe and suffered 56 aircraft losses.I think over 11 months that's 300% of their original effective strength !!!

Not sure what the connection is with Camillus though ..... or why this aircraft/unit got selected.

If anyone knows anthing about this knife, I'd be glad to hear it.

Thanks for your interest.

Chee.
 
The Pilot Survival Knife with the gold etched B17 bomber is a model #USAF2. The custom gold etching was done by Baron Technology. This knife was introduced in 1992 and a total of 2,000 were made. Each knife was packed in a wooden display case. The original retail price was $179.95. I do not have a current value for this model. Copies of our records are being mailed to you.
Tom Williams
Camillus Cutlery Co.
 
Tom,

Thanks very much for your reply. I must have missed the e-mail notification and only just noticed your answer.

Your response is quite interesting and suprising !

Firstly, I bought the item on eBay and it was not offered with a wooden display case - instead, it came in the standard Camillus box (cream & red cardboard). Secondly, I only paid $65USD for the near mint knife(a bargain !!?).

I wonder if there was a second issue of the knife from Camillus (sans display case), or perhaps the original owner kept the display case and sold the knife separately (at a drastic discount!).

Either way, I am very happy with it and the survival knife takes place of pride on the shelf - next to the Australian Army issue Commando stilleto.

What other armed services commemorative knives were also issued by Camillus ? I noticed on the Camillus website that there aren't any commemorative military knives for sale at the moment. How often does Camillus issue them ?

Again, thanks very much for your answer.

Best regards,

Chee
Sydney, Australia.
 
Chee, if you are looking at the current Camillus site for knives you are not looking in the correct place. your knife was made by the original Camillus company and if you want to research which knives were made by the original Camillus company look here http://www.collectors-of-camillus.us/
 
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