If you’ve discovered a Camillus knife in an old toolbox, inherited one from a relative, or picked it up at a flea market, you’re holding a tangible piece of American industrial history. The Camillus Cutlery Company operated from 1902 to 2007 in Camillus, New York, producing millions of knives for soldiers, outdoorsmen, and everyday users. But unlike modern tools with barcodes or serial numbers, dating a Camillus knife requires careful detective work—primarily by examining the tang stamp, the manufacturer’s mark etched into the metal near the handle.
This guide will show you exactly how to date your Camillus knife using tang stamp evolution, military markings, handle materials, and historical context. You’ll learn to identify each major stamp style from 1902 to 2007, avoid common pitfalls like blade reuse, and use free online resources to verify your findings. Whether your knife saw action in WWII or was made shortly before the company’s 2007 closure, this step-by-step breakdown gives you the tools to pinpoint its era with confidence.
Start with the Tang Stamp: Your Primary Dating Tool
The tang stamp is the most reliable clue when learning how to date a Camillus knife. These markings changed multiple times over the company’s 105-year run, and each design corresponds to a specific period. Begin by removing the handle scales (if possible) or using a mirror and flashlight to view the tang clearly. Then compare what you see to the known stamp types below.
Pro Tip: Use macro photography with natural light—no flash—to capture fine details without glare. A smartphone with a macro lens or a digital camera like the Canon SD30 works perfectly.
Arched “Camillus” Stamp (1902–1916)
This original tang stamp was used from the company’s founding in 1902 through approximately 1916. It features:
- “Camillus” arched upward in elegant cursive-style lettering
- A decorative separator: horizontal line, centered dot, horizontal line
- “Cutlery Company” on the second line
- Lowercase “o” in “Company”
- “New-York” often hyphenated when included
Knives with this stamp are typically early pocket models or pre-WWI military patterns like the WWI Marlin Spike (c. 1915). The serif font and ornate spacing reflect early 20th-century industrial design.
Visual Cue: Look for the curved text and dot-line-dot divider—this stamp stands out from later block-letter versions.
Block Letter Stamp (1916–1930s)
Around 1916, Camillus modernized its branding with a clean, all-caps block letter stamp:
- “Camillus Cutlery Company” in bold capital letters
- No decorative elements
- “New-York” still hyphenated
- Capital “O” in “Company”
This stamp marked a shift toward standardized manufacturing and appears on commercial and early military knives. Collectors have documented this stamp on models like the #33 Easy-opener from around 1916, confirming its early adoption.
Expert Note: This stamp overlaps with earlier designs due to blade stock continuity—don’t assume an exact cutoff date.
Decode WWII-Era Stamps Accurately
Knives made during World War II carry some of the most recognizable tang stamps—but also the most common misinterpretations. The four-line stamp is often assumed to mean “WWII production,” but that’s not always true.
Four-Line Stamp (Mid-1930s–1949)
This punctuation-heavy stamp reads:
Camillus . Camillus , y . USA
Key features:
– Repeats “Camillus” twice
– Uses periods and commas as separators
– Includes “y . USA” on the final line
It was introduced in the mid-1930s and became standard during WWII (1941–1945). However, military contract cancellations after the war left surplus blades, which were used in production until 1949. So a knife with this stamp could be assembled after the war—not during it.
Critical Warning: A four-line stamp doesn’t guarantee WWII origin. Check handle materials and construction for supporting clues.
Short-Line Stamp (1946–1956)
Introduced in 1946, this stamp replaced the four-line version but coexisted with it briefly:
- “Camillus New York USA” with a short horizontal line under the “mill” portion of “Camillus”
- No punctuation
- Clean, minimalist look
Found on both commercial and military-issue knives, including post-WWII survival models. Its overlap with the four-line stamp means both may appear on knives from the late 1940s.
Time Tip: If your knife has this stamp and a wooden handle, it’s likely from the late 1940s to mid-1950s.
Identify Cold War & Late Production Marks
From the 1950s onward, Camillus adopted increasingly modern stamp designs. These reflect shifts in typography and branding, making them useful for narrowing down decades.
Full Underline Stamp (1950s–1960s)
This variant features:
- “Camillus New York USA”
- A solid horizontal line directly beneath the entire word “Camillus”
Distinguish this from the short-line stamp: here, the underline spans the full width of the name. It was common during the Cold War and appears on models like the Air Force Pilot’s Survival Knife (c. 1959).
Historical Link: Many of these knives were issued to U.S. Air Force pilots during the nuclear alert era.
Italic/Slanted Stamp (1960s–1980s)
By the 1960s, Camillus updated its look with stylized lettering:
- “Camillus” in slanted or italicized font
- Periods between words: “Camillus. New. York. USA”
- More modern, sleek appearance
This stamp appears in a 1988 pocket knife pamphlet and on hunting knives from the 1973 catalog. It remained in use through the 1980s.
Collector Insight: Knives with this stamp often have plastic or synthetic handles—another clue to their mid-century origin.
Double-Line Final Stamp (1989–2007)
The last tang stamp used by the original Camillus company:
- Two-line format:
- Top: “Camillus”
- Bottom: “Camillus. New. York. USA”
- Double horizontal lines beneath “Camillus”
- Minimalist, professional design
This stamp was used from 1989 until the 2007 bankruptcy. Knives with this marking are considered “late production” and are distinct from post-2009 revival models.
Important: The Camillus brand was revived in 2009 under new ownership—these knives have different stamps and are not covered here.
Use Military Markings to Pinpoint Dates
Military contracts offer some of the most precise dating clues. Camillus supplied knives to the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force across multiple conflicts.
“U.S.” Over “Camillus N.Y.” (1962–1974)
A KA-BAR style fighting knife marked:
- “U.S.” over “Camillus N.Y.”
was produced between 1962 and 1974. The “N.Y.” suffix was dropped after 1974.
User Confirmed: One collector posted a knife with this marking, and experts confirmed it as 1962–1974.
“U.S.” Over “Camillus” (Post-1974)
After 1974, the marking changed to:
- “U.S.” over “Camillus” (no “N.Y.”)
However, Camillus’s military contract ended in 1989, after which Ontario Knife Company took over production.
Key Fact: Even after 1989, Camillus-style knives remained in military inventory under the same NSN (National Stock Number).
Analyze Handle and Construction for Supporting Evidence
Tang stamps aren’t foolproof—old blades were reused, and stamp styles overlapped. Use handle materials and build quality to support your dating.
Early Handle Materials (Pre-1980s)
- Stag, bone, or wood handles: Common before the 1980s
- Metal shields: Early 20th-century knives often had badge-like emblems
- Simple guards and lanyard holes: Typical of military models
Knives with natural material handles and no plastic components likely predate the 1980s.
Later Handle Designs (1980s–2007)
- Synthetic or Micarta handles: More common in later production
- Elongated horizontal shield: Final pre-bankruptcy handle emblem
- Smooth, uniform finish: Indicates modern machining
If your knife has a plastic handle and the double-line tang stamp, it’s almost certainly from 1989–2007.
Pro Tip: Combine tang stamp with handle type for higher accuracy—don’t rely on one clue alone.
Avoid the Most Common Dating Mistakes
Even experienced collectors make errors. Here’s how to stay accurate.
Don’t Trust “Last Use” Dates Blindly
Reference books like the Goins Encyclopedia are valuable but contain inaccuracies. One collector noted: “Take Goins’ listings with a grain of salt.”
- First use dates are more reliable than “last use”
- Blade reuse extends stamp life—especially for WWII-era models
- Always treat published dates as approximate ranges, not absolutes
Watch for Fake or Questionable Stamps
Some tang stamps have been reported as potentially fake:
- Poor spacing, wrong font, or incorrect punctuation can indicate reproduction
Authentication Steps:
– Compare your stamp to high-resolution images
– Use macro photography to check letter depth and alignment
– Cross-reference with trusted archives like courvilles.com
Blade Reuse Can Mislead You
After WWII, canceled military contracts left Camillus with surplus blades. These were used in postwar production until 1949.
Consequence: A knife with a 1941–1946 four-line stamp may have been assembled in 1948—not during the war.
Always consider handle, sheath, and guard style alongside the tang stamp.
Use Free Online Resources to Verify Your Find
You don’t need to buy expensive guides. Several free, high-quality resources exist.
Photography Tips for Clear Tang Images
To get an accurate reading:
- Use a digital camera with macro mode (e.g., Canon SD30)
- Shoot in indirect natural light—no flash
- Position the knife on a back porch or shaded outdoor area
- Avoid shadows and glare
User-Tested Method: One collector achieved best results “outdoors on our back porch but not in direct sunlight.”
Top Image Archive: courvilles.com
The most comprehensive free resource is:
- http://www.courvilles.com/Art/CamillusTangs.htm
- Hosts high-res photos of tang stamps from 1915 to 1989
- Includes rare and verified examples
- Originally posted by collector acourvil
This site is considered the gold standard for visual verification.
Recommended Books
For deeper study:
- The Standard Knife Collectors Guide, 4th Ed. by Roy Ritchie and Ron Stuart
Includes “Knives That Went to War!” (pp. 186–187) - Pocket Knives of the United States Military by Michael W. Silvey
Full-color prints, detailed military context
Both books help contextualize your knife within broader military and production history.
Follow a Step-by-Step Dating Process
To confidently date your Camillus knife, follow this proven sequence:
-
Inspect the Tang Stamp
Use magnification or macro photo. Identify font, punctuation, and line placement. -
Check for Military Markings
“U.S.” over “Camillus N.Y.” = 1962–1974
“U.S.” over “Camillus” = post-1974 (but pre-1989 contract end) -
Examine Handle and Build
Natural materials = likely pre-1980s
Synthetic handles = likely 1980s–2007 -
Cross-Reference with Trusted Images
Use courvilles.com for direct comparison -
Consider Context
Was it owned by a veteran? Found in an old toolbox? Provenance adds value.
Time Estimate: This process takes 10–20 minutes and can turn an unknown knife into a documented historical piece.
Know the Timeline at a Glance
Use this quick-reference table to match your knife’s stamp to its era:
| Period | Tang Stamp Description | Key Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| 1902–1916 | Arched “Camillus” over “Cutlery Company” | Lowercase “o”, dot-line-dot spacer |
| 1916–1930s | Block “Camillus Cutlery Company” | All caps, “New-York” hyphenated |
| 1935–1949 | Camillus . Camillus , y . USA |
Punctuation-heavy, repeated name |
| 1946–1956 | “Camillus New York USA” | Short line under “mill” |
| 1950s–1960s | “Camillus New York USA” | Full underline under “Camillus” |
| 1960s–1980s | “Camillus. New. York. USA” | Italic/slanted font, periods |
| 1989–2007 | Two-line: “Camillus” + “Camillus. New. York. USA” | Double line under “Camillus” |
Reminder: Dates are approximate. Overlap and blade reuse are common.
Final Tips for Accurate Dating
Now that you know how to date a Camillus knife, apply these expert-backed strategies to refine your results.
Combine Multiple Clues
No single feature is 100% reliable. Always use:
– Tang stamp
– Handle material
– Military markings
– Sheath or packaging (if available)
The more evidence you gather, the more confident your date estimate.
Beware of Post-2007 Revival Knives
The Camillus brand was revived in 2009 under new ownership. These knives:
– Have different tang stamps
– Are not part of the original 1902–2007 production
– May confuse collectors unfamiliar with the timeline
Stick to pre-2007 models unless you’re specifically researching the revival era.
Join Collector Communities
Forums and Facebook groups offer real-time help:
– Post macro photos for feedback
– Learn from experienced collectors
– Access rare model databases
One user wrote: “I have an old Camillus… fits the 41–46 estimate nicely. Thanks for posting!”—proof that shared knowledge works.
Preserve What You Have
Regardless of age or value, your Camillus knife is a piece of American craftsmanship. Keep it clean, dry, and stored properly. Even common models gain significance over time.
Final Note: Dating a Camillus knife isn’t just about assigning a year—it’s about connecting with history, one tang stamp at a time.