Unknown Knife

[PitViper]

I hope someone has an idea about this knife I have. My Grandfather gave it to me years ago and it is a bright orange (plastic?) handled knife with a main blade thats 3 1/4 inches long and opens automaticaly, exactly like a switchblade.
The second blade is 2 1/4 inches long and appears to be designed to cut parachute cords, as its curved all the way around and is sharp on the inside. It also has a sturdy top lanyard.
The knife is built like a tank. On the main blade at the heel is says:
CAMILLUS
NEW YORK
U.S.A.

About the only thing I know about it is heresay, my Grandfather said it was from either WWI or WWII and stated that the "parachute" blade was supposed to be the blade that opened automaticly and not the straight edge.
I guess so the soldier could free himself with one hand when stuck in a tree etc...
Any help would be appreciated....

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[not2sharp]

It sounds like you have an example of the Camillus MC-1 Survival and Parachute knife adopted by the USAF in 1958. The switch should operate the main 3 1/8" blade. The shroud cutter (hooked blade) is manually operated. These were made under military contract by Schrade, Camillus, and Logan/Smyth.

You may want to look up Frank Trzaska's "The MC-1 Hooked Blade Knife" (Knife World, October 1997)

n2s

 

[PitViper]

Thank You...Sounds like you pegged it...