I have a question about the Camillus U.S. Army Demo Knife,
Military specification MIL-K-818D.

When did Camillus stop manufacturing this specific knife?

For purposes of nomenclature the spec drawing from 1985 is shown here.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...-K-818spec.jpg

The first post WW2 production of this knife was by Camillus in 1949. These knives were made in small quantity and are quite hard to find today. So far I have not been fortunate enough to add one to my collection. Member thorin6 however was able to do so and was kind enough to post some very good photos and descriptions of this version.

http://www.usmilitar...d...066&hl=1949

Full military production by Camillus started in 1957. This one also is somewhat uncommon.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...nless/1957.jpg

Camillus is reported to have made these knives with every date from 1957 to 2006,

In 1958, a notch was added to the side to make it easier to open the punch blade.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...oNotchPair.jpg

The only other significant change to the MIL-K-818 occurred in 1973. In 1972 it was ordered that the pin in the cap opener / screwdriver be omitted. Due to stock on hand, some of the 1973 production had the pin while the remainder did not. A few can be found with the hole for the pin but no pin.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...s/1973pair.jpg

It may be noted that the pattern of diamonds on the scales varies but I have not found any reason for that other than simple production variation.
Upper 1961, middle early 1973, bottom late 1973.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9.../Diamonds3.jpg

In 1997 the specification for the Knife, Pocket, General Purpose was changed fromMIL-K-818D to A-A-59100

Some other posts about this style knife:

http://www.usmilitar...d...517&hl=1949

http://www.usmilitar...d...638&hl=1949

http://www.usmilitar...mp;hl=MIL-K-818

The topic knives are commercial (i.e. not military issue), limited edition knives by Camillus, although I know that some knives marked "U.S.M.C." were produced by Western. Whether Western was under Camillus supervision at the time, I don't know. These Camillus knives are model no. 1760SS.

The first knife is one you see a lot of. It's the one marked "U.S.M.C." Please, note that the real WWII Marine Corps MIL-K knives are marked "U.S. Marine Corps."

I like your pictures, but those last three links are no good.

__________________
I always take precautions

Thank you for all of this information I appreciate it very much.

Here's a U. S. Marine Corps, and a newer 1971 U. S. M. C.
The newer one is blade marked Camillus 1971.
'Can opener' marked on opener.
The U. S. Marine Corps marked one has no date or maker.
'CanOpener, Pat. Pending' on opener.
Note the blade reversal. Are all the older ones made this way?

Attached Images

image.jpg (68.6 KB, 107 views)

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I don't know exactly when they changed the stamping on the blades. The eye opener foe me was that they were made under contract by another company for Callimus and there were just made for the civilian market not the military. I was disappointed over the years I had a few of them. To me they were made ok, but I don't beat on my knives.

These were still being issued in 1991-93 by our parachute rigging shop while I was in a MAPS unit. They were ok, but they literally would lose the edge with one day of tough use on nylon webbing (building airdrop training loads), and the main blade had a proclivity for breaking off, even without prying on it. I am tough on my knives, but after a few dozen of these, I went out and bought a spyderco, which was worlds better on the nylon.