Need Help

[ModellsMan]

I got from my late grandfather an old dagger that is hard to identify. He thought it was a V42, but I'm not so sure. The dagger is stainless steel, has a banner that says USMC forged into one side of the blade. Its handle is kind of coke bottle shaped, and seems to be steel, but I'm not sure. The handle's grip is very rough, but is built into the handle. At the bottom of the blade it says Camillus Cutlery Co. Camillus N.Y. Doe's anyone have any idea of what it's origins are, or anything about it's history??

Please help.

 

[textoothpk]

Weclome to the forums.

Seems like it is a USMC Raider's Knife. Quite a find! Here is a photo and description from the excellent book, Levines Guide, 4th edition .

I know that a company called HG Long made a repro of this in the 1990s, but that should be plainly marked, and unlikely your grandfather had one. Camillus may have made a repro as well.

We have an official moderator here, 'CAMCO' and no doubt he will be along soon to give you an answer.

Phil

 

[CAMCO]

Camillus produced 14,370 USMC Raider Stilettos in 1942. The blade was carbon steel with a USMC scroll etched on the blade. The handle is a cast zinc alloy. A M6 sheath was included with each stiletto. Most of these stilettos were issued to the Carlson or Eddson Raiders during WWII. An unknown quantity were parkerized black and issued to the Canadian Airbourne Troops.

Two reproduction stilettos were offered during the 1990's. The official reproduction featured a blued blade with gold etching done by Baron Technologies and a cast pewter handle. Approximately 2,000 were produced.
A reproduction stiletto with a plain blade that was etched "CAMILLUS" was also made for Smoky Mountain Knife Works. These stilettos included a black leather sheath.

Tom Williams