Medical Department, United States Navy

Buzz, if I understand it correctly, these would for the most part have been military issue (other than surplus market pieces). If so, what hidden history these knives have, not being just full of character, but also filled with the military experiences to match. Cool stuff!
 
There are some great looking original condition knives in this thread! I wish I had somthing that nice looking to contribute... until then I will just enjoy the pictures:thumbsup:
 
lambertiana said:
Great collection, those are really nice specimens.

Was the Bureau of Aeronautics version issued to the Army Air Corp during the war, or did they get the standard Army version?
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Good question. My guess is that they got the standard Army version, unless they used the same life raft kits that BuAer used, where the blank shield model was utilized.
 
Wow! What a beautiful collection! How specific was that Medical Department knife. Thanks for sharing! (My Dad served in the Navy in WWII, not in the Medical Department, but he did need to visit there.)
 
Great post and knives, Buzz. I have one old Camillus Scout (previously posted in Old Knives a while back). It's a sword brand rather than an engineer's knife, but it's largely the same, I think.

31064845184_4fbbc8e789_o.jpg
 
Buzzbait said:
Wow!!! That is a gorgeous knife. So pristine. Thank you so much for posting it. I’ve always wondered exactly what the original full shape looked like on the main blade. And that shield stamp is so deep and clean. Your example is incredibly perfect. Does it have brass or steel liners?
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Thanks Buz. I can't check the liners out because the knife is still packed away in an ammo can from the hurricane Irma threat we had here. When I put everything back where it belongs I'll check it out and let you know.
 
huelsdonk said:
Great post and knives, Buzz. I have one old Camillus Scout (previously posted in Old Knives a while back). It's a sword brand rather than an engineer's knife, but it's largely the same, I think.

31064845184_4fbbc8e789_o.jpg
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I have a very similar knife with the same shield, but a different can opener and tang stamp. The awl is slightly different as well. Mine is actually a predecessor of the WW2 knife, made in the 1920's or 1930's, I'd guess. It's a Sta-Sharp, made for Sears by Camillus. Both yours and mine are made from the same #14 Camillus manufacturing pattern. The 4-blade version was referred to as a 14/4. The #14 pattern goes way, way back.

v6NlGR3h.jpg
 
And here are some Camillus drawings, showing the component parts for the #14 manufacturing pattern. I believe these drawings were saved by Tom Williams (username Camco on Bladeforums), when Camillus closed its doors. The 14 pattern was obviously used for a large number of knives, given the extraordinary number of blades and tools available for it. It was the all-purpose equal end pattern of its time.

CcDrmf4h.jpg

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Here are a few more pics. The first is from a knife collecting book (can't remember which one), showing a number of the WW2 knives.

Bwr6GiPh.png


This second pic comes from med-dept.com, originally posted by user martyn, showing the contents of his beautifully restored:
"S14 Paratroop First Aid Pouch, used by USMC Paramarines and USMC/USN Corpsmen in the South Pacific."
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YfuMErwh.jpg
 
Buzz, thanks so much for sharing all this fantastic information and really cool stuff (plus another great knife :thumbsup:). I can't wait to come back and spend some time with it when I have a chance tonight.

John
 
Its especially cool that you have the specifications to go along with that awesome scout knife! I 100% regret not picking up the same MD-USN knife from an antique shop near my hometown. Good bone just adds so much to the character of a scout knife and that's a combination I do not have yet.
 
I blame it all on Buzz:D he inspired me to go on the hunt and lo and behold I brought one home. This one came bailless and therefore not being able to offer a replacement bail from parts strewn throughout my garage it goes forth without.

The pin was there so i nipped, peened and sanded flush. THANKS Buzz!!!:cool:
With pin.
Afm1mc.jpg


Without.
w28MAH.jpg


HjceGe.jpg


PpnkNA.jpg


All blades solid, except main is down slightly. It shows signs of work in the past, to me it looks like blade pivot pin was replaced as it's color is slightly different?
 
Oh man you got another Paul! Well done - I hope this one fills the void of you selling your previously owned one?
Beautiful Knife my friend.
Paul - how is this Knife Stamped?
 
paulhilborn said:
I blame it all on Buzz:D he inspired me to go on the hunt and lo and behold I brought one home. This one came bailless and therefore not being able to offer a replacement bail from parts strewn throughout my garage it goes forth without.

The pin was there so i nipped, peened and sanded flush. THANKS Buzz!!!:cool:
With pin.
Afm1mc.jpg


Without.
w28MAH.jpg


HjceGe.jpg


PpnkNA.jpg


All blades solid, except main is down slightly. It shows signs of work in the past, to me it looks like blade pivot pin was replaced as it's color is slightly different?
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Beautiful bone on that one. Nice pick-up!!!

It’s very possible that it’s a bit of a parts knife. So many of these #14 pattern war knives were made, that parts are quite plentiful. People take the parts of 2 or 3 different knives, and combine them into a very servicable knife. You can usually tell by the backsprings. If a tool or two doesn’t sit reasonably flush with the springs, it’s been rebuilt from parts.

Not that I disagree at all with doing this. I personally prefer a parts knife with a good amount of function, to an original with a broken punch or no walk and talk remaining in the main blade. But that’s just me. My knives generally get used, and aren’t safe queens.
 
Buzzbait said:
Beautiful bone on that one. Nice pick-up!!!

It’s very possible that it’s a bit of a parts knife. So many of these #14 pattern war knives were made, that parts are quite plentiful. People take the parts of 2 or 3 different knives, and combine them into a very servicable knife. You can usually tell by the backsprings. If a tool or two doesn’t sit reasonably flush with the springs, it’s been rebuilt from parts.

Not that I disagree at all with doing this. I personally prefer a parts knife with a good amount of function, to an original with a broken punch or no walk and talk remaining in the main blade. But that’s just me. My knives generally get used, and aren’t safe queens.
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Gevonovich said:
I am really enjoying this thread, Buzz !! Super knives and posts :thumbsup::thumbsup: :eek:

Paul ( paulhilborn paulhilborn )
Great job on the beauty !!!
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I agree Buzz in regards to a rebuild, I'd rather have a functioning, workable knife. This one showed signs of service/repair when I first looked at it. It was done well as the springs are neither proud or sunk. All steel liners with no brass which leans to war time knives.

Thanks Gev, wish it had a bail so I could sport one of your blood knot lanyards:thumbsup:
 
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