Remington R4353

The Remington Corporation and the knives that they built have influenced the U.S. cutlery industry more than nearly any other manufacturer. From the time America was settled, to the end of WWI, American knife companies struggled to compete with Britain and German imports, but events that occurred during and after the First World War led to a great change in this phenomenon. Unprecedented opportunities arose, and Remington stepped up to seize the moment. In the process, they created some of today's most prized collectables. In an ironic twist, the next World War played the greatest role in ending the company’s domination of the industry.
Post Reply
mercury31
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:47 am

Remington R4353

Post by mercury31 »

Hello, New member here. Thanks for adding me. Just getting into collecting knives and this site is very helpful. I recently bought a box of old knives at an auction and this Remington was among them. Looking for some opinions as to whether it is an original or a reproduction. All help is very appreciated. Thanks
IMG_3471.JPG
IMG_3472.JPG
IMG_3474.JPG
IMG_3476.JPG
IMG_3477.JPG
IMG_3478.JPG
User avatar
1967redrider
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 16105
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:23 pm
Location: Alexandria, VA
Contact:

Re: Remington R4353

Post by 1967redrider »

I'd say that's an original Bullet Knife. And ::welcome:: to AAPK!
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
User avatar
edge213
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 7763
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2014 12:48 am
Location: The Crossroads of America

Re: Remington R4353

Post by edge213 »

Me too.
David
"Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife" Meat Loaf
User avatar
1967redrider
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 16105
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:23 pm
Location: Alexandria, VA
Contact:

Re: Remington R4353

Post by 1967redrider »

mercury31 wrote: Wed Mar 24, 2021 11:55 pm Hello, New member here. Thanks for adding me. Just getting into collecting knives and this site is very helpful. I recently bought a box of old knives at an auction and this Remington was among them. Looking for some opinions as to whether it is an original or a reproduction. All help is very appreciated. ThanksIMG_3471.JPGIMG_3472.JPGIMG_3474.JPGIMG_3476.JPGIMG_3477.JPGIMG_3478.JPG

Check out this thread-

viewtopic.php?f=67&t=56072

I think this is about the best grouped Bullet Knife thread.
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
User avatar
RalphAlsip
Posts: 2320
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2014 9:01 pm
Location: Southern Illinois

Re: Remington R4353

Post by RalphAlsip »

mercury31 wrote: Wed Mar 24, 2021 11:55 pm Hello, New member here. Thanks for adding me. Just getting into collecting knives and this site is very helpful. I recently bought a box of old knives at an auction and this Remington was among them. Looking for some opinions as to whether it is an original or a reproduction. All help is very appreciated. ThanksIMG_3471.JPGIMG_3472.JPGIMG_3474.JPGIMG_3476.JPGIMG_3477.JPGIMG_3478.JPG
Mercury31, yes you do have an original Remington Bullet R4353. Your example has significant pocket wear, oxidation on metal surfaces, and blade loss. On the plus side a significant amount of the blade etch remains. It is a great find, but the condition impacts its collector value. It would be a fantastic knife to carry.
Froe
Posts: 320
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2017 3:31 am

Re: Remington R4353

Post by Froe »

I’d say a darn nice find!
Froe
stockman
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 3665
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:19 pm

Re: Remington R4353

Post by stockman »

Nice find, it doesn’t happen often to find a original Bullet in a box of old knives. What else was in the box. Harold
mercury31
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:47 am

Re: Remington R4353

Post by mercury31 »

There was a variety of brands, Colonial, Imperial, Hammer Brand, Camillus, Keen Kutter. The majority were Colonial and Imperial. There were 3-4 made in Japan. Five straight razors also. I think there were about 40 knives total, plus the razors. Been working on some of them cleaning them up.
stockman
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 3665
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:19 pm

Re: Remington R4353

Post by stockman »

It would be fun to see some more of your find. Harold
mercury31
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:47 am

Re: Remington R4353

Post by mercury31 »

Thanks to all for the comments. Greatly appreciated. I have another question about the Remington. I have looked at some other examples of the R4353 on this site and the shield appears to be centered end to end on them. The one I have it is noticeably closer to the right end. Also on the other examples I see a center rivet in the scale above the shield. The one I have only has a center rivet on the side opposite the shield. Was wondering if this would indicate a particular time period within the production years? Thanks!
User avatar
RalphAlsip
Posts: 2320
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2014 9:01 pm
Location: Southern Illinois

Re: Remington R4353

Post by RalphAlsip »

mercury31 wrote: Sat Mar 27, 2021 1:19 am Thanks to all for the comments. Greatly appreciated. I have another question about the Remington. I have looked at some other examples of the R4353 on this site and the shield appears to be centered end to end on them. The one I have it is noticeably closer to the right end. Also on the other examples I see a center rivet in the scale above the shield. The one I have only has a center rivet on the side opposite the shield. Was wondering if this would indicate a particular time period within the production years? Thanks!
Good observation about the location of the shield and number of handle pins! The R4353 was one of the first patterns produced in the original Bullet line. In my experience it is very unusual for the shield not to be centered, however I have seen them. The Camillus reproductions from the 1980's were made with the shield located where yours is located. If your knife were in like new condition then I might have some concerns about it being messed with. I have no doubts yours is an original even though it does look atypical. There is probably something that could be discerned about your knife such as when it was manufactured for example, but my knowledge is not deep enough to make a comment. I will try to do some research to see if I can find any information that describes the shield and pin variations. My confidence is low that I will find something.
User avatar
Wudidiz
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 59
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2022 1:07 pm
Location: North of Houston

Re: Remington R4353

Post by Wudidiz »

Mine has an off center shield.
02B2F3A4-5F93-499D-9E20-33FDB7FADA55.jpeg
User avatar
edge213
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 7763
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2014 12:48 am
Location: The Crossroads of America

Re: Remington R4353

Post by edge213 »

Wudidiz wrote: Tue Dec 13, 2022 1:25 pm Mine has an off center shield.

02B2F3A4-5F93-499D-9E20-33FDB7FADA55.jpeg
Yours is a Camillus made Remington, not made by Remington, in case you didn't know ::handshake::
David
"Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife" Meat Loaf
User avatar
Wudidiz
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 59
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2022 1:07 pm
Location: North of Houston

Re: Remington R4353

Post by Wudidiz »

edge213 wrote: Tue Dec 13, 2022 4:33 pm
Wudidiz wrote: Tue Dec 13, 2022 1:25 pm Mine has an off center shield.

02B2F3A4-5F93-499D-9E20-33FDB7FADA55.jpeg
Yours is a Camilous made Remington, not made by Remington, in case you didn't know ::handshake::
Now I do. Thanks
User avatar
Mumbleypeg
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 13409
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:28 am
Location: Republic of Texas

Re: Remington R4353

Post by Mumbleypeg »

For future reference, the authorized reproductions made by Camillus have Delrin handle covers and stainless steel blades (exception being those with sterling silver shields- those "Silver Bullet" versions have genuine bone covers).

The originals made by Remington in the 1920s-1930s have carbon steel blades and genuine bone covers.

Ken
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.

If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.

When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.

https://www.akti.org/
stockman
Gold Tier
Gold Tier
Posts: 3665
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:19 pm

Re: Remington R4353

Post by stockman »

One about the same condition as yours with shield centered. Harold
Attachments
DD474693-C58E-4424-8564-F10557791C8F.jpeg
CDC6D13B-3120-4640-BFC8-8DEEF2F66742.jpeg
User avatar
RalphAlsip
Posts: 2320
Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2014 9:01 pm
Location: Southern Illinois

Re: Remington R4353

Post by RalphAlsip »

In addition to the difference in the shield location, there are a few other differences in the original bullet R4353.
1. Number pins. Center shield has 4 handle pins; uncentered shield has 3 handle pins. This was noted earlier
2. Nail nick. The nail nick on the center shield is closer to the blade tip.
3. Blade etch. The blade etch is closer to the tang (i.e., uncentered) on the center shield variation.

Of the 2 knives attached to this post, I believe the center shield example is a later production (1930's) and the uncentered shield example is early 1920's.
Attachments
Remington R4353 C D # Combined.jpg
R4353 Blade Etch Compre.jpg
mercury31
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2021 12:47 am

Re: Remington R4353

Post by mercury31 »

Thanks for the update Ralph! I appreciate the information.
Post Reply

Return to “Remington Knife Collector's Forum”