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Pictures of Fishers, Scouts, Campers, Sailors and Hobos

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Replies to This Discussion

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 28, 2014 at 10:38

A dozen all vintage in my collection and a couple of newer ones I use.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 28, 2014 at 16:44

I collect other patterns and collect by brand, so the numbers of one particular group go up slowly. Right now I am also adding a few Barlows to my collection.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 28, 2014 at 18:06

This is a WWII Navy Sailor, I acquired, with plans on trading for a vintage Scout. I love old vintage knives of all sorts of patterns.

Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on January 28, 2014 at 18:09

Great old knife Robert.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 28, 2014 at 18:20

Thanks Ken, I love these old knives. What stories they could tell.

Permalink Reply by Ken Spielvogel on January 28, 2014 at 18:34

Yes, if only knives could talk - "The Talking Knives"

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 29, 2014 at 10:25

Tobias says, this is an English navy knife. It may have severed in WWII on a military ship. We all have heard of the troubles the English had with shipping during the war.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on January 29, 2014 at 11:37

Actually it is British Military Pattern No. 317. It was used by all branches of the British Military but as it has a Marlin Spike is most often associated with the Royal Navy.

Robert, Does it have any markings. In particular - does it have an arrow with the letters WD under it. These are ones made specifically under military contract for the War Department. However, the absence of such a mark does not mean it wasn't military issue. The tin-cutter blade (Can opener) is an earlier style lacking the cap lifter. The pattern was accepted by the Admiralty possibly as early as 1933 but more likely contracts started getting filled in 1937-39. The pattern was declared obsolete in 1952 but continued in service for several years. Earlier patterns lack the cap lifter. The caplifter was added after receiving complaints from soldiers in the field. It was replaced by the stainless steel slab sided version that became the current NATO standard known as the VN47408. The new knives have a safety can opener.

As much as I like the current NATO standard, I do feel these WWII vets have much more style and character.

Below is my W & SB 1943 Rigger and a Camillus 1944 Q5

I really need to get some better pictures of my riggers.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 29, 2014 at 12:36

Tobias, it has " S S P 1942 on it also a slash mark like this "\ OR maybe an arrow like this " /\ ". It is definitely a WWII knife with the date of 1942. Thanks for all the info, this is interesting.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on January 29, 2014 at 12:38

It's definitely an arrow.

Robert Burris said:

Tobias, it has " S S P 1942 on it also a slash mark like this "\ OR maybe an arrow like this " /\ ". It is definitely a WWII knife with the date of 1942. Thanks for all the info, this is interesting.

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on January 29, 2014 at 13:22

I would agree 100%, Robert. SSP stands for Sheffield Steel Products. I don't know much about the company except that it is international and makes steel products. LOL

Knives made during the war were being made for only one purpose and many companies that had never made knives for the military were awarded contracts. In some cases, the only times these companies made or assembled knives were during the war. And as you can assume many knives made during the war lack any WD markings. (or any manufacturing mark at all, for that matter)

Permalink Reply by Smiling-Knife on January 29, 2014 at 14:02

Great knives. Sheffield Steel Products was a conglomerate of a number of manufacturers. With as many as 17 firms in the 1920s, it made a variety of items including razors, scales, meat slicers, vending machines. The WD mark did not appear on knives after 1939 and likely corresponds to the switch from the 6353 to this pattern very early in the War. Official GI knives had the /|\ broad arrow mark. Of course, many privately purchased knives without the mark also saw service. I hope this is of interest.