Chrome plated Camillus USMC 1219c2 history and production questions

O

orono

Joined
Dec 5, 2002
Messages
46
Hello All,
I would like to have information on the Chrome plated USMC guard marked 1219c2 knives made by Camillus during WW2.
When were they made and how many were made.
Why they were made and did they get issued to troops.

Thanks Much,

Warren in Arizona
 
Thanks for the reply, I did go through that material and didn't find anything related to my questions. Hopefully one of the guys in the know will stop by with some info.

Warren in Arizona
 
If you look at p.22 of the "Camillus Knives of WW2" document found on the collectors of camillus site listed above, you can see the production info for WW2. The guard marking started in 1944, so that will narrow it down. I thought all of the WW2 production was parkerized, not chrome, but I don't have any reference for that.
 
Hello Warren,
Camillus did indeed make a chrome plated model like yours during World War Two. It was a Camillus model 5684 Q19. The knives were made in 3/14/1944 and modeled after the then current Q3 offering having the thin pinned on butt. Other then the finish the knife was the identical twin of the Parkerized version. The additional steps were:

Blade
Glaze Blood Groove
Extra Good Hand Glaze including backs and ends
Machine Buff
Chrome Plate @ .07 each
Hand buff after plating

Butt
Glaze both sides
Buff (Hand)
Plate @ .01 each
Hand Buff after Plating

Guard
Grind and Glaze sides
Machine Buff
Hand Buff
Plate @ .01 each
Hand Buff

Hand assemble with 1 7/8 x .120 pin

The knives were samples made for use by the U.S. Navy Advanced Base unit.

Samples: 1 dozen Camillus Cutlery Corp
1/2 dozen New York

Total numbers made that we know of are 18. How many made in total I have never found the numbers.


They also made a 5684 Q20 that has not been written about before... Not that I can remember writing about anyway...

It was chrome plated as the above knife except it had an M3 type grip and an M3 butt with a single pin retainer.

Camillus made a large amount of prototypes and samples for the military during the war. The intent to use parts on several knives was attempt to speed production and save money, it was the military that did not cooperate, branch rivalry is distinctly possible. Even in the common all metal GP Pocket knife the Army wanted one different from the Marine Corps in more then just the grip stamping. They changed the blade layout.

With all that said there is no way of telling if your knife is original or made a few years ago, there is noting to distinguish it as a prototype as made by Camillus. I can tell you they are very uncommon to run across.

All the best
Frank Trzaska
 
Thanks Frank, I know these knives have been discussed over twenty years ago and they were sort of a mystery then but your info narrows it down some. I'll just have to hope mine isn't a knockoff.
It would be nice to hear from anyone else who has run across one of these just to compare notes.
Thanks Again,
Warren in Arizona
 
I would love to see pictures. good luck with your quest.
 
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