Camillus, WWI ??

[Old Touch]

I have an old folder that has been in the family for a great long while, the handle is 5 1/2", the blade from the hilt is 10" long it has a slightly curved edge and a rounded tip and it has a linner lock mechanism and comes with a cover that just covers the edge of the blade and folds up into the handle which is made of an extremely tough black plastic.
Grandpa had two of them but lost one in a fire in Minnisota about 70 years ago, he told me that they were brought back from the GREAT WAR, which I had always taken to be WWI.
Any information as to what I have or what it might be worth would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Rusty

 

[textoothpk]

Touch, the Great War your gramps was referring to was WW2. The knife you are asking about is the 'Pilots survival machete', included in the bail out kit. These were adopted by the Army Air Force in 1942. Camillus made them, of course, along with Case, Imperial, and Cattaraugus. Illustration and facts from BR Levine's Guide to Knives and thier Values

I know that the date I give above for the machete is different from your Gramps recollection, 63 years vs 70 years ago, but we often find here in the forums a slight discrepancy in recollections and memories.

Thanks for dropping in, perhaps someone else will have more info for you.

Phil

 

[Old Touch]

Thanks very much for the information, I have often sat and held this particular blade and wished that it could tell stories.
It was only my asumption that Grand dad was talking about WWI as he lost a brother in that war, I know that there were none from his side of the family in WWII, I have a number of Camillus pocket knives that he carried over the years and I still carry a stockman that has been sharpened many many times but just cant seem to find anything that I would replace it with.
Have a good day and thanks again
Rusty