CASE XX JOHNNY MUSKRAT 5 DOT QUESTIONS?

[winchester907]

I was lucky enough to find this at an estate auction. Is it pretty rare? It looks like green bone but Im not sure? Is this a hawkbaker or special factory production? I noticed that it had a 073 on the end of the bolster. I didn't think case put the pattern number on a muskrat? Im not seeing much on the pricing, in the standard knife collectors guide or the collecting case knives guide. It is pretty much drop dead mint, how do I keep it that way? (maas?)Thanks for the help.

[olderdogs1]

Made in 1985 , it is not a hawbaker as it doesn't have the hawbaker blade. It doesn't look greenbone to me. That is not a pattern number on the bolster. It is probably a special edition, I believe that is just a # on the bolster indicating that it is 1 of a number that were produced. There will be some more knowledgable Case guys come along soon. This is just getting you started.

[winchester907]

Thanks, I keep forgetting that the dots above the usa are 80-89.

[gary]

1985 Special Factory Order, 250 -500 most likely made, thus the serial number. The Hawbaker's had two different blades and I believe 1982 was their last year. The handles are either dark bone or black, but they don't look green. Whip it down with a soft cloth with mineral oil on it, then apply Ren-Wax, store in dry, unlit place ( no UV rays) and watch for any spots.
Nice knife. Gary

[tjmurphy]

This is the one that I have, also 5-dot, No. 128. I bought this in the first Johnny Fain auction. The blade broke and was reprofiled and a different shield applied. Blades are pitted but cleaned. If I had to guess I would say brown bone.

This is a 2009 Canal Street Hawbaker with Ram's horn handles

[winchester907]

Do they mean renaissance wax when they say ren wax?

[tjmurphy]

Yes.