Help ID Barlow from my grandfather

I was given this knife in by my father in 1980 when I was 8. It was from his father. My grandfather was a Sailor during WWII so it is not likely older than that time frame. I've been cleaning it up and see no identifying marks. I'd love to know of anyone could identify it. The scales are wood. There is a brass (color anyway) liner lock for the small blade only. The small blade is a full convex edge with no secondary bevel. Here are some photos.



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After some cleanup

Go here and ask:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumd...-Identification

Did they have liner locks that far back? Before the 1980s I mean.

If it was GI issue it would have to have marks.To me it looks like an electricians knife with the screwdriver blade modified into a sheepsfoot blade.

BOATMAN
John

Agree, good catch. When I saw the pics I was thinking why does the liner lock engage the small blade instead of the main blade. On the electrician's knife they lock the screw driver.

This presents an opportunity for family legend development. This is a sanitized electrician's knife that was issued to grandpa when he served as an operative in the oss in the pac theater in ww2, in the special service unit #1, scouts and raiders. The great grandkids will love it.

I wish you luck. Barlows can be notoriously difficult to track down information on. A lot of manufacturers made that style of knife (and similar designs, like the electrician's knife). They were one of the more popular budget knives of their day. All the hardware stores sold them and all the guys that worked in the construction trade had at least one.

That being said, I still have my grandfather's and father's barlows and knowing their humble origin doesn't make them any less valuable to me.

Russ,that was my thought process as well.

BOATMAN
John

I have studied the Camillus electricians knife and think you nailed it! Modified screwdriver. Thanks!

You are very welcome

BOATMAN
John