information on US fighting knives

[hillbillyricky]

can someone give me a quick history of the makers of fighting knives, just got a US camillus marked, also a US camillus N.Y. marked, US ontario marked, US M S I marked, and the last one is US conetta marked, which one is worth more and they all have either brown or black leather sheaths, someone said they are from the vietnam war? leather handles and blades have no rust and blue finish, thanks

[Charlie Flick]

H:

A quick history is not really possible here. The Mark 2 knives have a long history. Try taking a peek at Frank Trzaska's site. Frank knows more about these knives than just about any living person on the planet. http://www.usmilitaryknives.com/

Of the knives you mentioned the MSI example is by far the scarcest and, in my opinion, the most valuable. Made in very low numbers in the 1980s by Manufacturing Specialties of Allen, TX. The MSI knives are missing from most collections of Mark 2 blades due to their scarcity and the generalized lack of knowledge as to their origin.

HTH.

Regards,
Charlie Flick

[hillbillyricky]

looking for a book that covers WWI to present day something similar to gary cuningham's bnook on bayonets, thanks

[Bayonetman]

Although not complete without question in my mind, the book Military Knives, A Reference Book is an absolute necessity for any collector of US Military knives, and it is not expensive. You might wish to browse the other books Frank has for sale also.

Frank travels some for his work and cannot always get back to you immediately, but he will as soon as he can.

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