Vietnam Era Camillus Air Force Survival Knife with Unknown Scabbard

Went antiquing a bit today and found this, a US Air Force survival knife made between 1962-1966 in an unknown scabbard. Markings are correct for this time frame and there is no date stamp on the pommel. Still has some of the original grey paint on the top. Had a very light coating of orange rust that cleaned off easily with steel wool.

The scabbard resembles some I found for the M3-M4 knives. I'm pretty sure it is not correct for this particular knife, something has been in it prior to this knife that had a different shape.

Only marking I can make out is a 228s at the very top above the belt loops. Looks like at one time it may have had a second snap loop near the top.

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Looks good, yes...used to seeing the stumpy little leather scabbard. I've never seen that type. Probably just stuck in there because it came to hand.

The sheath has me stumped. It looks familiar but I can't place it. I have one of these knives from the mid 80's that I use for deer hunting. Love it. It's an Ontario, very similar, blood grooves are different but otherwise the same.

For a second I thought Cattaraugus 225 but one look was a "NO"... Don't remember what it looks to be from.

I may have found it. Baker fighting knives were custom made and had this style of sheath. 228s is marked on the top of one that is different but similar.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aragorn243

Baker fighting knives

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It DOES look like it.

Also in the Vietnam era Camillus made these:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1/sl1600-1.jpg

Bob

Nice knife! Can't help with the scabbard.

Here is an original type scabbard, with nylon legging strap, metal backing and pouch for sharpening stone.

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Most we had around the Battalion in the '70s were the simple leather tie down. It took years for the good ones with the metal chape to surface around here.

I’d like to find one of the leather only for it or maybe the brass cap. The steel caps did come later.

I got my hunting sheath out and put it in it. It looks good. I can buy a new sheath for my hunting knife. It's a steel tipped one but I've carried it in the woods for 30 years and it has deer blood and fat soaked in it so it looks authentically used. It was authentically used, just not in wartime although I believe I took it but didn't wear it during Desert Storm. My dad has one I bought him about the same time I bought mine and he ruined the knife by putting it in a grinder. It's only about half the size it should be now. Might get that one off him instead.

Here are the two of them together. Mine is an Ontario from 86. Bought it new at the AAFES uniform shop at Ft Indiantown Gap PA in '86, the year after I was commissioned in the US Army as a 2nd Lt.

Can't really stomach the idea of separating the sheath.

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Don't separate them then. Look around and I'll bet you can find a used salty scabbard as you need. Not even your dad's although that's an option too.

In the 80s the Jumpmaster course at Benning and Bragg started issuing the graduates this knife so it would be part of their jumpmaster kit. Unfortunately, I graduated from JM course in the mid 70s, so I had to buy mine. "whine.....whine"
Here is a picture of a jumpmaster on an OV10. Notice the knife on his left shin. Scabbard has been blackened..........most of us did this.
Attachment 123004

I found another beat up knife in an early scabbard. Hopefully it will clean up, both the knife and the scabbard. Appears the knife is either a 67 or an 87, can't tell because of the rust but the scabbard is the very early all leather type. Can't tell who made the knife either. It's marked on both the blade and the handle.

Second knife with sheath arrived about an hour ago. I think it will clean up OK. It is a Camillus 1967. I have the worst of the rust scraped off and it is sitting with some oil soaking at present. It is not marked on the blade. I was seeing things in the rust.

I need to head to Walmart and get some new wire toothbrushes.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../zsxkgYa-1.jpg

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Leather on the handle's good, too bad they let the steel fur up with rust.

Cleaned up pretty well.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../Fvgyln4-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../pBlqkRK-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../04uSjtI-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../hD6mNLG-1.jpg

Yup, not bad at all.

That cleaned up really good ,,,,
Job Well Done,,,,,
A shame it was in the shape it was, when you got it!

iv seen pictures of guys in vietnam with sheaths that have duck hunter cammo. anyone know the deal with these https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...nife-401904278

i seen a ton of pictures with SF and advisers in vietnam with that sheath

There was a lot of unofficial gear over in Vietnam. Remember what they discovered: the issue Deet mosquito repellent had such a loud smell that many were afraid the enemy could smell it. They had their girls send Avon Skin So Soft instead. I'm trying to remember what they used the Deet for - something like cleaning their rifles.

Bob

To me that looks like the CASE Pig Sticker knife scabbard repurposed.
See example here: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...ting-133721274