Pls help with tang markings on USCG rope knife

[19-3ben]

Hey all, I just scored this rope knife at a local "junk shop." It needs to be cleaned but i don't think it has ever seen use. I was pretty stoked to find it.

Anyway, looking at the tang markings, I know it's a Cam made in NY. The other side says "Approved U.S.C.G. 1944 Q5" Wondering if 1944 is a manufacture year? or is that indicating the year that this particular model/pattern was accepted for USCG inventory and use? When was this knife made? And what is Q5? I joked with my friends that it naturally means the fifth quarter of 1944, but I'd actually really like to know.

Any other info on this knife and pattern would also be appreciated. It's a lovely knife. I'll clean it up and put it in service unless you guys surprise me by telling me it's some sort of rare collectible I should be turning in to a museum or otherwise holding for posterity. No, I do not expect that, but you know I'm serious because my socks are featured in the first picture, and that is a hallmark of seriousness.

All pics were taken prior to cleaning. It looks cruddier than it actually is.

 

[ea42]

I believe that tang stamp was in use from the mid-40's to the mid-50's. It's a fairly common knife bringing between $25 and $50 at resale. I'd definitely use it, it's not often you get to carry a nice piece of history like that.

Eric

 

[afishhunter]

"1944 Q5"=
1944/17/May?

I  think the military uses the year/day/month date format?

Excellent score.

 

[5K Qs]

Congrats on picking up that very nice knife!

Here's a link to a discussion of what the "Q5" on the tang stamp of those Camillus USCG knives actually means. There are several posts with just speculation, but eventually a definitive answer appears.
https://iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/approved-uscg-rope-knives-are

- GT

 

[screened porch]

Congrats on picking up that very nice knife!

Here's a link to a discussion of what the "Q5" on the tang stamp of those Camillus USCG knives actually means. There are several posts with just speculation, but eventually a definitive answer appears.
https://iknifecollector.com/forum/topics/approved-uscg-rope-knives-are

- GT

Q for quartermaster, right? They were wired to pallets for breaking down wooden crates!
[I'm kidding.]

Thanks for the link.

 

[1911bphil]

Great knife. I have no idea about it's worth or what Q5 means. I would use it. Just my humble opinion though.

 

[19-3ben]

Great knife. I have no idea about it's worth or what Q5 means. I would use it. Just my humble opinion though.

Value was never a question! It's a super cool knife and I have a feeling it'll get some good use, after spending the last half century waiting for its mission to begin!


Thank you to all who have provided such great intel! I'm excited to have picked this up, and now even more excited that i've learned a bit about it.

 

[Rookie82]

Silvey's book on Military pocket knives says the WW2 era Camillus made knives in this pattern were designed and approved by the Coast Guard to be carried on ships. The knife was made both with and without the Coast Guard markings. Mark side stamp would have the 4-line Camillus stamp. These were made with either brass or steel liners. Kutmaster and Imperial also made the same knife at that time. Post-WW2 the 3-line stamp was used, and often a can opener was added for secondary blade.

 

[RickHuf]

These are great! Big old blades! Must have been a popular pattern even outside of the military versions. I really like the jigged wood covers and a huge sheepsfoot is very useful.

Here is a 4 line without any other markings. Someone modified the blade for one reason or another. Steel liners.

The next one is an s-702 which is similar but more modern. It has jigged Delrin covers and a can opener.


There must be many variations of this pattern. I've been lookinging at them quite a bit.

Enjoy your knife! Great find in nice condition!

 

[John A. Larsen]

The 1944 was also put into life boats, and there new 702 with the can opener made a lot of sense as the survival rations in life boats were in cans. John