Camillus M3 knife - real or reproduction?

Hi Gang,

I'm looking for the knife experts out there to let me know if I found a real M3 knife or if I purchased a repro.

The little research I was able to find focused on the number of pins in the pommel (2 for a real one, 1 for a repro), the lack of "periods" in the "US M3" marking on the guard, and finally the fact that "Camillus" is of smaller size than "US M3" on guard.

As to the scabbard, I know there was a period when the military went from the M8 to the M8A1 that the scabbard and webbing was made to the M8A1 specifications, but marked M8. I've tried to take pictures of all significant markings in the hopes that they will show if it's real or fake, and how it might relate to the guard marked knife (which I believe was done at the end of the knife's run before the M4 bayonet came into play).

Thanks in advance for your help. If there's something I haven't taken a picture of that would be helpful, please let me know and I'll try to post it.

100% original, no indications whatsoever that it is not right.

I'd actually rather have one looking like this than an almost new one. I've seen them here , last one was years ago. This one is less questionable I think. All looks about right too...

I agree, I see No problem with it. A nice original!
Sarge

The scabbard is 100% right-on as well. M8 BM Co. throat markings with steel tips and the small brass snap on the retainer strap, with OD #3 webbing and a blackened stainless m1910 belt hangar are all spot-on for the first run of M8A1 configured scabbards.

Welcome to the forum Jim16A1...

I also have an US M3 CAMILLUS thought to be authentic an would like to compare and get your opinions. My knife is identical to the one above with two exceptions, 1) no US M3 on the guard 2) US M3 CAMILLUS embossed on the right rear of the blade, CAMILLUS is a slightly smaller character size. Marking on the heel, dimensions are also the same.
Thanks, Gunny

Welcome to the forum Gunny, maybe you can show us, I think it would be easier if we can see it.

I found this link some time back. Pretty good quick reference to the most common reproductions and fakes.

http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/m3.htm

I've seen that link before but didn't see anything resembling mine. Here's some photos.

Attachment 87102Attachment 87103Attachment 87104Attachment 87105Attachment 87106

Now someone will identify it for you...nice enough blade too.

Yours is "blade marked" rather than "guard marked" so it was made a bit earlier, and potentially worth more. Looks good to me! - Bob

Thank you for the replies and information. Before seeing this thread I didn't realize the the history of the M3 knife. I received it from a Marine friend from the WWII and Korean eras and cherished it as a gift.
Doing some searching I did find a very useful article that is quite easy to read. One of the most interesting bits was there just over 2.5 million made by 9 different manufacturers.

M3 Trench Knife - The Fighting Knife - Antique Outings

Here's an excerpt concerning the marking I had asked about and confirms the the information the experts here provided.

"During the short time the M3 Trench Knife was made (1943-1945), there were 3 distinct patterns. The first and early pattern had “US M3”, the manufacturer name, and the date 1943 printed on the blade. The second pattern was similar to the first, but it omitted the date. The third pattern, which occurred sometime in 1944 removed the markings from the blade and placed them on the underside of the crossguard."

Thanks again

I think the repro's only had 1 pin holding the butt on.