Kingston U.S.A

[VCM3]

I picked this small knife up in a local shop today.Besides the questions,I figured you may like a look at it.
It is small,3-1/4" closed,a 2-3/8" blade
Any idea's ? Age & pattern name ?
TIA,
-Vince

 

[waynorth]

Military issue, ca. WWII, Navy Rope knife. I suspect it's missing its manicure/nailfile blade.
Note the brass replacement pin. Millions made by different manufacturers to a milspec.
Here's a Robeson Issue, probably a little earlier, with the bone handles.

And a Case Bradford, even earlier. There are quite a few of them floating around. This Case is the first I've seen with a truly "full" blade, although the Robeson is close.

Makes a nice, thin, handy knife with one blade, Vince!

 

[VCM3]

Charlie,
In the box where this was,there were four or five others,2 were Case stamps,all were single bladers.This one was in the best shape.
Thanks for your help.
-Vince

 

[waynorth]

Charlie,
In the box where this was,there were four or five others,2 were Case stamps,all were single bladers.This one was in the best shape.
Thanks for your help.
-Vince

Interesting!! Maybe they were made from surplus parts??
Has anyone seen them as single blades in catalogs? I've seen a few with punches that didn't belong in them. Curious!!

 

[thejamppa]

Very nice folders. Again another pattern I was completely oblivious. Looks really nice user knive. Interesting thriller about mysterious folders. Very nice. This is why I love traditional folders section so much.

 

[VCM3]

Interesting!! Maybe they were made from surplus parts??
Has anyone seen them as single blades in catalogs? I've seen a few with punches that didn't belong in them. Curious!!

Well BL's giude 4 says "joint venture w/ Ulster & Imperial" on one line,under the Kingston name on the list,so possibly this was one of those ?
There are a few ?'s on this listing in his guide
-Vince

 

[VCM3]

Very nice folders. Again another pattern I was completely oblivious. Looks really nice user knive. Interesting thriller about mysterious folders. Very nice. This is why I love traditional folders section so much.

Prior to seeing one of these,in this size,I spoke w/ a custom slipjoint maker & described something like this,but w/ synthetic scales & the bail,for like a custom utility keychain knife.
I see knives in neat patterns,I invision a modern shadow version.
-Vince

 

[waynorth]

Ulster and Imperial did a joint venture for Government contracts I believe. I don't know if that's the only time the Kingston name was used. There are other knives marked Kingston that do not seem to be military. Ulster may have used the name previously?
I know there are some Schrade guys out there who know more about it.
Eric? Codger?

 

[Mike Robuck]

Here's a Miller Bros. rope knife:

 

[wagglebee]

Looks good Vince.

 

[knifeaholic]

I do not believe that the posted knife is military. Kingston was a brand used by Imperial/Schrade/Ulster on knives made during the war and after the war up to the 1960's.

The pattern of the posted knife is similar to the military jacks but the single blade version like the posted knife was made in great quantities by several companies post WWII and was marketed as a simple work knife, along the lines of the civilian TL29 electricians knives. Camillus, Kutmaster, and Colonial made similar knives, Case made one (11031 SH) without the bail. The pattern was often marketed as an electrician's knife with the sheepfoot blade intended for wire stripping.

Post the knife in the Schrade forum and you may get lots more info.

 

[dipbait]

Isnt knife hunting fun? Nice find.