M3

[Ford Conley]

I JUST PURCHASED A US M3 CAMILLUS. IT LOOKS TO BE UNUSED, PARKERIZED, WITH FLAMING BOMB ORDINANCE STAMP ON THE POMMEL. THE SHEATH IS STAMPED "CAMILLUS USA" BUT IS NOT METAL TIPPED.
(1) ANY IDEA ON YEAR OF MANUFACTURE ?
(2) THE LEATHER HANDLE LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE DRY, FROM AGE. I CONSIDERED COATING IT WITH NEATSFOOT OIL TO HELP PRESERVE IT. IS THIS OK, OR IS THERE A BETTER PRESERVATIVE ?

 

[CAMCO]

Camillus Cutlery manufactured the M3 Trench Knife during WWII and also ofered a reproduction in the 1990's. The WWII M3's featured two pins through the butt cap. Most M3's made during 1943 were date stamped with the year of manufacture on the blade. M3's
made during 1944 and 1945 were not date stamped. The reproductions had a single pin
through the butt cap. If you would like copies of our WWII records, without cost, just e-mail me your postal mailing address.
Tom Williams
Camillus Cutlery Co.

 

[Ford Conley]

THANKS . THE E-MAIL IS ON THE WAY. HOW ABOUT QUESTION 2. WILL NEATSFOOT OIL BE OK TO USE ON THE HANDLE ?

 

[Jeff Clark]

Were the reproductions marked with the ordenance bomb insignia?

 

[Ford Conley]

Apparently so. Mine has the single pin, and the flaming bomb ordinance stamp.