Original U.S. WWII AAF E-1 Survival Knife with Camillus “4-Line” Markings in Leather Sheath Identified to CBI Veteran
In stock
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a knife ordered by the AAF to be included in the Emergency Kits being produced by the Liberty Electric Company of Indianapolis, Indiana. A total of 35,500 knives were ordered, making it a fairly common knife compared to many others produced during the war. These knives were not military marked, but instead had only the standard 4 line Camillus mark in use at that time. Most had stagged rosewood handle grips, but some used stagged bone as it was on hand and had been used on the commercial version of the knife, Camillus # 5665 "Hunting Knife".
One of the significant differences between this one and the commercial version is the use of 12 gauge spun steel rivets holding the handles. The commercial version used brass, which by the time of the contract (early 1943) had been replaced by steel because of the critical listing of brass. The sheath for the knife was supplied to Camillus by J.H.Mosser Leather Company of Williamsport, PA. The sheath was reinforced with 11 steel rivets, used only on the wartime production of this sheath.
This is an excellent textbook example of the E-1 by Camillus, stamped on the ricasso:
CAMILLUS
CUTLERY CO.
CAMILLUS, N.Y.
U.S.A.
The blade shows period sharpening and some minor cleaned oxidation. The crossguard is now a bit loose, but still secure. The rivets are the correct 12 gauge spun steel. The overall length is 8 ¾”.
The original and correct sheath was supplied by J.H.Mosser Leather Company of Williamsport, PA. The sheath was reinforced with 11 steel rivets, used only on the wartime production of this sheath.
The sheath is inscribed on the front:
Wesolowshi L.B.
32143398
This identifies the knife to Leo B. Wesolowski, who served in the CBI Theater. He enlisted on August 8th, 1942 in Rochester, New York. A good research project!
An outstanding knife with its original named sheath, ready for display.
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