kmealy Posted September 29, 2020 Report Share Posted September 29, 2020 I got this knife years ago at an auction. In doing some research trying to identify the odd blade, I thought it might be a Camillus electrician's knife. So I tossed it in my electrical tool kit. Last week, I was helping a guy do some electrical work and pulled it out, then put it in my pocket. I've been carrying it off and on since then. Then I found out it might, in fact, be a WWII U.S. Army issued pocket knife (one of several different styles), though it lacks the TL 29 name and number embossing. It does, however, have wooden scales. The brass thingee locks what appears to be a screwdriver tip in place for use. Anyone have any more information on this origin? Or was the knife repurposed before or after the war? https://www.ebay.com/b/Camillus-Screw-Driver-Vintage-Knives-with-2-Blades/48815/bn_72244959 https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_forum/viewtopic.php?t=19139 HandyDan and HARO50 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PostalTom Posted September 29, 2020 Report Share Posted September 29, 2020 I think this is what you have. I found the image on Ebay. It was identified as KLEIN 1550-2 2-Blade Carbon Steel Spearpoint Pocket Knife/Screwdriver HARO50 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmealy Posted September 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2020 (edited) On 9/29/2020 at 3:23 PM, PostalTom said: I think this is what you have. I found the image on Ebay. It was identified as KLEIN 1550-2 2-Blade Carbon Steel Spearpoint Pocket Knife/Screwdriver I found some more information on a second page of one of the links. Apparently, millions of them were made. They were used by signal corps linemen in WW II, and the defense department canceled their orders on VJ day, leaving the company (Camillus) with thousands of in-process parts that they continued to use for quite some time afterwards. There were changes along the way, some improvements, some to save money when the company was having financial problems. They were also branded Klein (who makes electricians tools) and also a lesser quality line of Camillus, Camco, and perhaps a premium brand, Sword. Dating is difficult because they never threw anything away, so the bolster stamp is whatever the employee picked up, or whatever blade got pulled for the assembly. Still a nice knife, though. Edited September 30, 2020 by kmealy Gunny and HARO50 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Altier Posted September 30, 2020 Report Share Posted September 30, 2020 Postal Tom........ I found the image on Ebay. It was identified as KLEIN 1550-2 2-Blade Carbon Steel Spearpoint Pocket Knife/Screwdriver I carried one with my tool pouch for years at the power plant and it is probably still in my shop somewhere Gunny, Gene Howe and HARO50 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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