Case Brothers Little Valley

[Ridgegrass]

Have a friend with a Case Brothers "Little valley" Tested XX stamped on pile side tang, equal end Jack in bone with a shield. I can't get an answer on it's length, They weren't pattern stamped but the 4+ inch would be a "36" and the 3-5/8" would be a "45" today.
The blades are "very good" not mint. He asked me the value. I'm thinking somewhere around $100. Any opinion would be appreciated.
(Looks like a Catt-made piece but Case Bros were manufacturing in Little Valley according to Levine ?) Thanks J.O.

[Mumbleypeg]

Nice looking knife - love those worm-groove covers! The early years of Case Brothers is a little mysterious. Some accounts say the brothers left the employ of Cattaraugus Cutlery not on good terms with their brother-in-law J.B.F. Champlin (founder and owner of Cattaraugus). Supposedly something about “borrowing” one of J.B.F.’s prized thoroughbred horses without permission. At any rate, after leaving Cattaraugus the brothers started Case Brothers as a jobber operation (they did not have a factory of their own until a few years later) with most of their knives being made during that time by C. Platts & Son.

However it’s possible that Cattaraugus also made some knives for Case Brothers. Either the reputed falling out was non-existent, short-lived, or “blood is thicker than water”.

My guess is that $100 is very low for most authentic (non-reproduction and not counterfeit) Case Brothers knives, depending on condition of course. Either a 6236 or 6245, if in mint condition, would bring north of $1000 IMHO. Then again, maybe olderdogs1 will see this and tell me I’m wrong. (If your friend wants to sell it for $100 send me a PM. Please.)

Ken

[Ridgegrass]

Ken: WoW! I'm floored! Thanks. I have over 2000 knives and have had more at times. I find them the old way and I have never paid over $300 and darn few even close to that. I don't do e-bay but I know things are crazy there. Wow again. I'll see how the opinions go. Thanks again. He'll be happy. J.O'.

[olderdogs1]

I agree with everything Ken said. Really hard to value a knife without knowing the closed length. Case Bros started making their own knives in Little Valley around 1900 but probably some contracting took place as well. I like Ken have heard several stories of why the Brothers broke away from Cattaraugus but really doubt anyone knows for sure. To place a value on the knife would require a description including closed length, whether the handles have any chips or cracks, also whether the blades are tight with good snap. Good pictures as well. More than likely the knife is worth considerably more than $100.

Tom

[Ridgegrass]

Closed length 3-5/8". J.O'.