Heirloom: Old Camco Knife, Pearlized Plastic

[thegadget]

Hello everyone. I inherited a old knife from my Great Grandfather, who passed it down to my father, who gave it to me. Anyway, I am just trying to figure out what kind of knife it is so my uncle can purchase one like it. My Great Grandfather passed away when my father was only 7 yrs old. So that would be about pre-1965 when my father was given the knife. He told me that my great grandfather told him to take care of it because it was worth a lot. I have yet to find any CAMCO knife worth a lot. To me it is priceless because of the family heritage. Here are the specifics:

Length closed: 3 3/8"
Length open Longest blade: 5 13/16"
Short blade length: 1 3/4"
Long Blade length: 2 1/2"

Pearlized/ivory plastic handle.
oblong shape.
Three smaller rivets in the middle, and two larger rivets on each end holding it together.

I am guessing that it would have been made in the 40s. It has not been used since my Great Grandfather died. It does have slight wear on the main blade where he had used it for carving. It has the initials stamped on the end: BO on the Front and back. I am assuming that he had it done as in Bohannon, his last name.

Here are a few pictures:
***You will have to copy and paste the link below, the link will not work***
http://thegadget.tripod.com/downloads/camco4.jpg
http://thegadget.tripod.com/downloads/camco3.jpg
http://thegadget.tripod.com/downloads/camco2.jpg
http://thegadget.tripod.com/downloads/camco1.jpg

 

[mumbly peg]

I'm no expert, but I'd say you hit the time of manufacture pretty darn close, I too would say 1940's. The long nail pull leads me to think somewhere between 1920-1940. The pattern is an two blade "equal end jack", it appears to me that the main blade was a spear point at one time and has been ground down to a new tip. Definitely has blade wear. Handles appear to be synthetic, probably celluliod, appear to be in reasonably good shape, picture does not show both sides but I do not see cracks, although some shrinkage and warpage is evident near the bolster on the end with the "BO". Nickel silver (German silver) bolsters. The initials can either add or detract depending on whether a buyer likes the personal side of it being marked by it's original owner, but most tend to prefer no alterations. Off of the pictures, without being able to see the walk and talk, (if any), and the overall condition I would estimate current value around $20.00. Nice keeper for yourself with the personal ties to your great grandfather. I'd hang on to it. Thanks for sharing.

Dan

Member - Camillus Collectors Club
Lifetime Member - Case Collectors Club