I'm not sure 1961 refers to a year, I think it's just a model number. I don't collect these at all, too much other stuff on the go.
"Roll tide!"
I was issued a huge clasp knife originally too.
theres a YT vid that discusses it , says the model # is #1760 , they started handing them out in 1945 and continued to do so untin 2007 and the number on the blade is the year according to him , his is a 1993
Yes, these are not Model 1961 Knives, these came about much earlier. 1944 for the USMC made by Kingston which was a unification of two other knife companies with the purpose of making these. I don't think the Kingston knives had the dates on the blades but were made in either 1944 or 1945. Only early ones can be dated to 1944 because they had the can opener and the screw driver swapped. Camillus wanted to take over the contract and in 1949 made a small run of which only 10 are known to exist. True production didn't start until I think 1957 and they all have the date on the blade. Speculation is that they had so many Kingston surplus to issue all those years they didn't need to make any more. But they aren't clear on that or if Kingston continued production after 1945 without dating them.
The were lumped in with the 1961 Swiss knives because Swiss collectors tend to get at least an example of these as they are the exact same type knife. That's what I read on the link that was provided. Very interesting. I need to get a Kingston now.
I thought of that briefly but quickly dropped it. Birth year maybe, year entered the service maybe. Only thing I'm collecting year and manufacture variations of are canteens and mess kits.
im going to grab the one listed locally this payday if its still available , that woud be a pretty impressive collection to have each year , they have been issuing them for a long time
I thought of that briefly but quickly dropped it. Birth year maybe, year entered the service maybe. Only thing I'm collecting year and manufacture variations of are canteens and mess kits.
Found my birth year recently. Perhaps that will curb my enthusiasm. We will see.
I need 1963 and 1985, then I would be good. 1966 is actually my wife's birth year so that's one. Could get the girls birth years but I don't remember what they are. Have to ask mom.
Originally Posted by 
PM
