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History Of: Remington Bullet Knives
Published: December 15th, 2025
The Remington Bullet Knife has been part of the American knife world for more than a century, and its history starts with Remington’s short but productive time in cutlery. Remington began making pocketknives in 1919 at its Bridgeport, Connecticut, plant. The company invested heavily in the operation, building a large facility, hiring hundreds of workers, and releasing one of the most ambitious knife catalogs of the era. By the mid-1920s, Remington was producing millions of knives per year and offering patterns for farmers, hunters, tradesmen, and everyday users.
Within that broad lineup, a handful of premium sporting knives carried a small shield shaped like a rifle cartridge. Those became known as the Bullet Knives. The first and most recognizable was the R1123 Jumbo Trapper, introduced in 1922. It was a large, sturdy two-blade jack with a clip-point master blade and a spey blade, typically handled in jigged bone or cocobolo. The large frame, solid spring tension, and dependable carbon steel made it a practical choice for field dressing, barnyard chores, and general outdoor work. The cartridge shield set it apart visually and quickly became linked with Remington’s higher-grade patterns.
Remington expanded the bullet shield to other knives through the 1920s and 1930s. Lockbacks, smaller trappers, muskrats, camp knives, and a long toothpick pattern all carried the mark at different times. Although each knife served a different purpose, the shield created a recognizable line that stood out in Remington’s catalog. These knives were built during the height of Remington’s cutlery production, when the company’s output and range of patterns rivaled any American maker of the period. The Bullet Knives from this era are still highly valued for their rugged construction, high-quality carbon steel, and traditional handle materials.
- The first Remington Bullet Knife was the R1123 Jumbo Trapper in 1922
Economic pressure from the Great Depression eventually pushed Remington out of the cutlery business. In 1940, the company sold its cutlery machinery and remaining components to Pal Cutlery. Pal assembled a small number of knives from leftover Remington parts, but the original Bridgeport-made Bullet Knives ended with that sale. The knives from the 1919 to 1940 period form the core of what collectors consider “true” Remington production.
Interest in the Bullet Knife returned decades later. In 1982, Remington introduced a new annual Bullet Knife series, produced through licensing agreements with well-established American manufacturers like Camillus, Bear & Son, Buck, and GEC. These modern editions took inspiration from the old Bridgeport patterns and kept the cartridge shield as the defining feature. Each annual release found a place with working users and collectors, and many people now follow the series year after year.
Remington Bullet Knives 1982-2026
| Year | Bullet Knife Type | Knife | Manufacturer | |
| 1982 | Bullet Knife | R1123 Trapper | Camillus | 1983 |
| Bullet Knife | R1173 Baby Bullet | Camillus | 1984 | Bullet Knife |
| R173 Baby Bullet Lockback & | Camillus | 1985 | Bullet Knife | R4353 Woodsman |
| Camillus | 1986 | Bullet Knife | R1263 Hunter | Camillus |
| 1987 | Bullet Knife | R1613 Fisherman | Camillus | 1988 |
| Bullet Knife | R4466 Muskrat | Camillus | 1989 | Bullet Knife |
| R1128 Trapper | Camillus | 1990 | Bullet Knife | R1306 Tracker |
| Camillus | 1991 | Bullet Knife | R1178 Mini-Trapper | Camillus |
| 1992 | Bullet Knife | R1253 Guide | Camillus | 1993 |
| Bullet Knife | R4356 Bush Pilot | Camillus | 1994 | Bullet Knife |
| R4243 Camp | Camillus | 1995 | Bullet Knife | R1273 Master Guide |
| Camillus | 1996 | Bullet Knife | R2843 (Bullet Shield) | Camillus |
| 1997 | Bullet Knife | R4468 Lumberjack | Camillus | 1998 |
| Bullet Knife | R293 | Camillus | 1999 | Bullet Knife |
| R103 Ranch Hand | Camillus | 2000 | Bullet Knife | R1630 Navigator |
| Camillus | 2001 | Bullet Knife | R1615 Mariner | Camillus |
| 2002 | Bullet Knife | R295T Apprentice | Camillus | 2003 |
| Bullet Knife | R1178C Pioneer | Camillus | 2004 | Bullet Knife |
| R103B Old Reliable | Camillus | 2005 | Bullet Knife | R4353 The Maverick |
| Camillus | 2006 | Bullet Knife | R1273SB Trail Boss | Bear & Son Cutlery |
| 2007 | Bullet Knife | R1373 The Renegade | Bear & Son Cutlery | 2008 |
| Bullet Knife | R473 The Veteran | Bear & Son Cutlery | 2009 | Bullet Knife |
| R18986 (R1242) | Bear & Son Cutlery | 2010 | Bullet Knife | R18995 (R2253) |
| Bear & Son Cutlery | 2011 | Bullet Knife | R18965 (R1123L) | Bear & Son Cutlery |
| 2012 | Bullet Knife | R18948 (R1173) | Bear & Son Cutlery | 2013 |
| Bullet Knife | R19145 (R1303) | Bear & Son Cutlery | 2014 | Bullet Knife |
| R19148 (R1173L) | Bear & Son Cutlery | 2015 | Bullet Knife | R11000 (R4466) |
| Bear & Son Cutlery | 2016 | Bullet Knife | R11035 (R293B) | Bear & Son Cutlery |
| 2016 | Anniversary Bullet Knife | R11036 (R103) | Bear & Son Cutlery | 2017 |
| Bullet Knife | R11041 | Bear & Son Cutlery | 2017 | Anniversary Bullet Knife |
| R11044 (R293) | Bear & Son Cutlery | 2018 | Bullet Knife | R50013 Bay Mustang |
| Buck Knives | 2019 | Bullet Knife | R50032 Green Wood | Buck Knives |
| 2020 | Bullet Knife | R50036 Stockman | Buck Knives | 2021 |
| Bullet Knife | R7352 | Great Eastern Cutlery | 2022 | Bullet Knife |
| RERB44 Bullet Barlow | Bear & Son Cutlery | 2023 | Bullet Knife | R693 "The One That |
| Great Eastern Cutlery | 2024 | Bullet Knife | R15696 | N/A |
| 2025 | Bullet Knife | R15697 | N/A | 2026 |
| Bullet Knife | R15698 | N/A |
Written By
Drew Clifton
Drew is the lead writer for SMKW's Knives 101, crafting informative and engaging content for the world’s largest knife store. With expertise in knife history, design, and functionality, Drew delivers articles and product descriptions that educate and inspire knife enthusiasts at all levels.
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T.C. Barnette
T.C. Barnette is a dynamic media personality and the esteemed spokesperson for SMKW (Smoky Mountain Knife Works), where his passion for knives intersects with his captivating on-screen presence. With a magnetic charisma and deep expertise in cutlery, T.C. has become a beloved figure in the knife community.