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Info Please? c.1920 Case MOP pocketknife

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2020 6:04 pm
by darkwingmanor1
Hello, new member here, and I am just learning how to tell a penknife from a citrus knife from a whatever... I have an interesting pre-1920 WR Case & Sons MOP knife, engraved "Dr. G.M. Edwards." It is stamped on the tang of the smaller of the two minor blades. It looks a bit unusual to me with the stamp location and the two pin construction at one end. It is in rough shape, with MOP loss to both sides along the liner edges and the back handle has a tight crack and loss to the right corner next to the bolster. Much darkening, discoloration, wear and pitting to the blades and liners. I'm hoping someone can identify the pattern name or number and a rough value estimate. I don't think it's worth much with the condition issues, but what do I know? I was planning on including it in a murderous doll auction on eBay. Thank you for any knowledge you can share!
T. Reuwsaat

Re: Info Please? c.1920 Case MOP pocketknife

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2020 9:59 pm
by btrwtr
Might be an 8363 lobster pattern knife. Internal wishbone type spring. Very cool old knife.

Re: Info Please? c.1920 Case MOP pocketknife

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 1:03 am
by Mumbleypeg
It may indeed be an 8363 “lobster” pattern. If so it should be 3-1/4 inches closed length. Close the blades and measure it end-to-end to confirm. Lobster patterns were popular in the early part of the 20th century, so many of them were made and sold. Yours appears to be in poor condition but being a Case brand it should have some value. If it was mine and I wanted to sell it, I’d list it on eBay with some good clear in-focus pictures including all stamps, and a good description including whether or not each blade opens and closes with good crisp “snap”. Give it a low starting bid, 7 or 10 day auction, and let the bidders determine its value.

Welcome to AAPK.

Ken

Re: Info Please? c.1920 Case MOP pocketknife

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 2:24 am
by darkwingmanor1
Thank you both!

Re: Info Please? c.1920 Case MOP pocketknife

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 2:40 am
by Old Folder
Welcome to AAPK T. Reuwsaat.
When you have time, perhaps you can add a picture of the "WR Case & Sons" logo from the blade?
I have never seen a Case knife with this configuration. Not saying that they do not exist.
We have many Case Knife pros here within aapk. Perhaps "Steve Pfeiffer" aapk handle (knifeaholic) and author of "Case Knives I.D. and price guide" will tune in and give you a very professional verdict.
I can inform you that you do have a "Pen" knife. The proper classification is: "Serpentine Sleeveboard Lobster.".... "A Lobster Pen Knife."

The beauty of genuine MOP was a favored handle material for the smaller pocket knives produced by Case. Pearl handled two and three blade pen patterns were classified as "Gentleman's Knives"

The first Lobster knife was invented by "James Crawshaw," a cutler and merchant who worked in Sheffield from about 1817 to 1850, he invented a new style of pen knife in the 1820s. An 1831 history described it as "the lobster knife." Unfortunately, Mr. Crawshaw did not acquire a patent.

Your "Serpentine Sleeveboard Lobster" pattern is very rare and usually bring in the most resale price in the Lobster category. The pattern is one of the most elegant lobsters.
Winchester called the style the curved balloon lobster.
It appears to also have a broken Master Blade. However, due to the fact that Lobster Pen knives are lightly built, they receive 'easy damage.'

It appears that you are a new collector? In this case, you may consider keeping it. Even due to its condition you, you will most likely never find another one. Once you receive a few dollars from eBay, the dollars and your historical very rare Case "Serpentine Sleeveboard Lobster." will be gone. ::dang::
If you are not a collector, you may want to include the words "Serpentine Sleeveboard Lobster" within your auction description.
Thanks for showing your knife T. Reuwsaat. First Case Serpentine Sleeveboard Lobster I"ve ever seen.
Dan

Re: Info Please? c.1920 Case MOP pocketknife

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 7:04 am
by kootenay joe
A "murderous doll auction" ?
This is not the kind of knife a doll would use to murder. More likely to file her nails or cut a thread, open a Valentine card, etc.
kj

Re: Info Please? c.1920 Case MOP pocketknife

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2020 9:21 am
by just bob
The value of your knife might increase greatly if you could establish who Dr. G.M. Edwards was and if they had any historical significance. I went to Google and looked and am amazed at how many results came up. There is some possibility this was a woman doctor in Nevada about 1920 and then there are also other hits on the same name from NC to MO. I don't have any suggestion as to how you narrow those results down, but it might be fun trying. I found an old Remington knife with advertising from an Optometrist and just by using Google was able to establish that he practiced in Indianapolis.

Re: Info Please? c.1920 Case MOP pocketknife

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 12:31 am
by Greenman
darkwingmanor1 wrote: Tue Oct 13, 2020 6:04 pm Hello, new member here, and I am just learning how to tell a penknife from a citrus knife from a whatever... I have an interesting pre-1920 WR Case & Sons MOP knife, engraved "Dr. G.M. Edwards." It is stamped on the tang of the smaller of the two minor blades. It looks a bit unusual to me with the stamp location and the two pin construction at one end. It is in rough shape, with MOP loss to both sides along the liner edges and the back handle has a tight crack and loss to the right corner next to the bolster. Much darkening, discoloration, wear and pitting to the blades and liners. I'm hoping someone can identify the pattern name or number and a rough value estimate. I don't think it's worth much with the condition issues, but what do I know? I was planning on including it in a murderous doll auction on eBay. Thank you for any knowledge you can share!
T. Reuwsaat
Welcome to AAPK! 😎
I can’t add any additional information about your knife, but I am rather curious about your screen name. Are you perchance associated with a certain “Morguetorium Museum”?

.

Re: Info Please? c.1920 Case MOP pocketknife

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 12:38 am
by cudgee
Good to see you here, there are plenty of knife experts and historians here, you will get an answer to all your questions. ::handshake::

Re: Info Please? c.1920 Case MOP pocketknife

Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 4:54 am
by RobesonsRme.com
The pattern, serpentine lobster, is rare regardless of maker or age.
Charlie