Help identify this camillus spike knife!!

J

jcmurp

Joined
Oct 12, 2007
Messages
25
Hi
I have aquired a camillus riggers knife,Not familier too much with camillus usualy buck,case etc... I am curious as to the make model year etc.if anyone can help,I notice most camillus knifes say other then camillus and usa stainless they usually say new york i believe.This just says camillus stainless USA.
Is it a clue as to when it was made? any info appreciated.
thanks
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I am by no means an expert - I do have a small collection of Marlin spike/Rigging/Sailor's knives. All of the Camillus Navy Knives I have seen do indeed say New York rather than "Stainless". That being said it does appear to me to be a Camillus #697 - with brown Delrin handles and nickle-silver bolsters and shakle key. Probably older than most teenagers, but that is a guess.
Nice variant!
 
Ok ,yes that is what I thought.how old would you think? and when did the marlin come out.Did theymake a mistake and not put "New York" or did they not put it on knives in certain years? Anyone else?
thanks Hallaf
James
 
Well - don't get me to lying... I have Buck,Case and Schrade Marlinspike knives - but no Camillus yet. The man that would know - if anyone would be Bernard Levine - He can be found on the "General" discussions page about tenth down - "Bernard Levine's Knife Collecting and Identification" forum. I am sure he can help.
Some interesting links:
http://ancientivories.com/fineknives.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlinspike
http://www.countryknives.com/store/dept.asp?dept_id=10314&depth=3
and sadly - http://www.fernknives.com/camillus/us-navy-marlin-spike/736/
Wish I knew more - Levine will know if anyone.
 
Thanks
I did contact him.He said he had no idea.said to contact codger64 I have but no reply yet.Maybe someone out there knows and can help
thanks will keep posted
 
Actually, the man who would really know would be Tom WIlliams, former Camillus historian. I've referred the question to him. My "feeling" is that it is pre mid 1970's. But I really don't know for sure. Tom will. By the way, he is CAMCO here on the forums.

Codger
 
This marlin spike or riggers knife is a model #697. The handles appear to be fastened to the linings by studs (stud construction was first used by Camillus in the early 1970's). I will have to do some research to date the tang stamp. This knife was made for the military and civilian markets.

Camillus was the major supplier for the marlin spike knives. In addition to the Camillus brand, Buck, Case and Kabar brands were made at the Camillus factory.

Tom Williams
 
Were any other brands made at Camillus, Tom? I've seen a knife marked "Allan Marine" and two simply marked "Japan" that appear identical to the Camillus 695.

Also, I've been looking around to attempt to find when the 696 was made with a fully serrated blade and when the change to a half serrated blade was made.
 
I'm posting a photo of a tang stamp that I'm guessing is on a 697. It is a rigging knife with single blade and a locking marlinspike.

I'm wondering if anyone has anything to add -- it's been 2 1/2 years since this thread was touched.

Camillus_Stainless_USA.jpg


Jim
 
I have a brand new one still in the box right here in front of me.The box says silver sword on it with a picture of two swords crossing each other.the model number I belive is 697. at lease that is the number is on the end of the box.
 
richard thurman said:
I have a brand new one still in the box right here in front of me.The box says silver sword on it with a picture of two swords crossing each other.the model number I belive is 697. at lease that is the number is on the end of the box.
Click to expand...

Hey Richard,

Any chance you could post some photos of your knife and the box? I've noticed that there's not as many as Camillus blades WITH their boxes offered on eBay as it seems there are of other brands. I always learn something when I see the box.

Jim
 
Fujimo said:
...<snip>...
Also, I've been looking around to attempt to find when the 696 was made with a fully serrated blade and when the change to a half serrated blade was made.
Click to expand...

I, too, would be interested in knowing more about the Piranha 696's serration.

Jim
 
Shepherd Jim said:
Hey Richard,

Any chance you could post some photos of your knife and the box? I've noticed that there's not as many as Camillus blades WITH their boxes offered on eBay as it seems there are of other brands. I always learn something when I see the box.

Jim
Click to expand...

over the week end my laptop motherboard blew so I had to go out and buy another one. let me find my cammra software and I will put up ictures for you guys.:thumbup:
now if anyone is instered in buying in then please pm me or email me to talk about it.
 
richard thurman said:
...<snip>...
now if anyone is interested in buying in then please pm me or email me to talk about it.
Click to expand...

Hey Richard! VERY NICE 697! I do already have an example of that vintage/version -- prob not in as good condition.

It's a real treat to see the box they came in. Was "Silver Sword" the "brand" under which Cami marketed ALL their own production at some point in time? ...or just one of many?

I've had my eye out recently for yellow-handled riggers, either 695's or 696's or the Case versions of those.

Believe me, I'll take a look at anything that includes a marlin spike (a/k/a "marlinspike"). There is a budget, but sometimes ..... :confused:

Jim
 
I use to sell a bunch of the Camillus knifes. this is the only one that I know of that came in this style of box.I think at the time it retailed for around $40.00. the one that is in the picture is brand new and has never been shown to any body besides this site.
 
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