Chevrolet knife/key

[schmoozer]

Looking for help on the history of this knife.
The key is stamped RET TO SERVICE.

Thanks in advance, it is going up for sale Saturday at a local show.

[knife7knut]

There were several manufacturers that offered knives with key blanks either attached to the knife or slid into the handle.Most I believe were post office box key blanks. That one looks to be a GM ignition key blank.If I recall correctly GM didn't use a whole lot of different blanks back then(circa 1940's to late 1950's).If I thought it would fit my 1955 Pontiac I'd be interested in purchasing it.

[Mumbleypeg]

There appears to be a tang stamp on the clip blade. What’s it say? Better yet can you post a clear in focus picture of the stamp? If we can tell who made it someone may be able to give you more info.

Ken

[schmoozer]

Hammer Brand USA
The ad is for HUCKIN’S GARAGE AND OIL CO
N.H.
Phone number is 193.

[Mumbleypeg]

A cursory online search found Huckins Chevrolet in Pittsfield NH, founded in 1954. Says the company is dissolved.
You might be able to find out more. That’s just the first thing that popped up when I searched for Huckins Garage Pittsfield NH.

Hammer brand was originally owned by New York Knife Co. until it’s demise around 1932, then the brand was later revived by Imperial. Your knife looks like it has shell handles so that would mean it’s an Imperial made Hammer brand. They made a lot of shell handled advertising knives.

Ken

[orvet]

Somewhere, I believe I have an electronic copy of an old Imperial catalog that shows one of the key blank knives similar to the one in the OP.
I haven't been able to locate it after going through four or five of the most likely catalogs. My eyes are starting to cross after trying to take in that much information so quickly so I'm going to stop looking for it.
If you want to go through the Imperial catalogs on the collectors-of-Schrade-r-us website you can probably find it there. http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/ ... talogs.htm

The shell handle knives in general do not bring a great deal of money, the vast majority of them sell for well under $20, in my experience. The place to sell that knife I would think would be a Chevrolet collectors website or show. To the right person with the car that could cut the key and use it in their ignition, then I might be worth $50 or even more. At a knife show, I would be surprised if you got $20 for it.

It's the incredible enigma of Imperial shell handle knives; they were made with great steel that took an edge and held it well. If they have been somewhat cared for and not allowed to rust then they can still function like new 80+ years after they were made. The disconnect comes because they were expensive and therefore they are usually perceived to be cheap. We live in a time when we are inundated by cheap imported knives (both cheap quality wise and inexpensive). I wonder in 81 years (2100 AD) how many people will be discussing the great quality and the longevity of the inexpensive Pacific Rim knives we see in such abundance today? And yet here we are 81+ years after the Imperial Hammer Brand knives were introduced and we are discussing the quality, desirability and pricing of a knife that was in its day promotional item, much like the inexpensive pens given out by my credit union. They may not be high dollar collectibles but Imperial Hammer Brand knives are still sought by collectors today!

[schmoozer]

Thanks for all the information, folks.

We have a local chevy club, will make contact.