US Paratrooper Auto

[Tom19176]

Thanks for the photo line up Bill!

[Jay Blade]

I also have the Camillus version. Great condition only with a weak spring.

[button_man]

.
Bill, the Colonial 724 is intriguing..... in front of the release button is something that resembles a Zerk fitting (a.k.a. grease fitting). Is this an accurate interpretation? --or is it just a pivot pin with an unusual terminus?

Also wondering if the military logo on the blade was applied by Colonial, or was it after-market? Thanks!

Addendum -- I just noticed that the rear rivet also has that appearance -- so apparently not a Zerk fitting...
.

[Bill DeShivs]

I have quite a few 724s. The one in the picture was one that Colonial was offering for sale promoting it as a military model. The logo was applied by Colonial. Most do not have the logo.

[Rocky]

I have one made by Camillus. The only thing I can’t figure out is: since its purpose is to extricate oneself from a tree, it would make more sense to me if the hook blade was automatic not the cutting blade. The hook would seem to make faster work than the regular blade to cutting rope.

[whippersnapper]

I think I read somewhere they were meant to be carried hanging with the hook end open.

[Bill DeShivs]

There was a pocket in the flight/jump suit for the orange MC-1 models to be carried with the hook blade open, and the lanyard attached to the bail.

[Fishtail Picklock]

amazing , had no idea there were that many , what model is mine?

Yours looks as if it is a Schrade-Walden.

I hope that this helps.

[Bill DeShivs]

OP's knife is a Camillus.

[whippersnapper]

The OP asked what model his knife was. Not the maker. According to Bills earlier post the orange Camillus is an MC-1.

[hoopharted]

that was my understanding from his post but i was unsure i was understanding correctly , thanks

[hoopharted]

grabbed this for $50 yesterday , Logan/Smyth , from what i have read these were only a short run because the lost the contract due to quality issues , so not many floating around? im guessing?

[Fishtail Picklock]

I was stationed at USNAS Whidbey Island (Ault Field). I saw a number of those "appropriated" by maintenance personnel. When we needed a regulation "Pocket Knife," we were issued a Camillus (and later Colonial) TL-29. This is/was the original "Electrician's Knife."

Those were issued freely and seen as a dime a dozen.

[Fishtail Picklock]

There was a pocket in the flight/jump suit for the orange MC-1 models to be carried with the hook blade open, and the lanyard attached to the bail.

Yep, they sure were. I knew of Navy Personnel who would "liberate" these MC-1 knives from the gear.