Remington R2403 switchblade

[goldwood]

I need an opinion on this knife that I have owned for 30 years. I have not seen another saber ground blade on a Remington R2403 except for mine. The jigging looks correct for the Remington small and large switchblades and it has the correct copper kick spring. If the blade had a nail nick on it I would not be asking this question. Also the etch has [trade mark instead of master knife]
When I don't see another like it in 30 years, then a red flag go up for me.

[RalphAlsip]

The blade is not correct in my opinion. This pattern was made by Geo. Schrade on contract for Remington. Schrade Cut Co did make a saber ground blade for a comparable knife, but it had a longer swedge "Rand the blade height was about the same as the flat ground blade.

Also, the blade etch should say "Remington Master Knife" not Remington Trade Mark. The R2403 stamp, especially the "R" looks off as well.

[Bill DeShivs]

I'm gonna say the blade is original to the knife.
There is no indication the knife has ever been worked on.
You might ask Mark Erickson. PM me if you need his contact information.

[1967redrider]

Very interesting, thanks for posting.

[espn77]

My opinion is the knife is incorrect. Never would there be a "Remington trade mark" etch on a Schrade made 2403. Only a master knife etch. That etch looks like a re etch to me. That script tang stamp is not a period correct stamp either.

[bestgear]

I need an opinion on this knife that I have owned for 30 years

On page 114 in Mark Erickson’s book Antique American Switchblades he says the R2403 is etched “Remington Master Knife” and shows a flat clip blade. While variations of models do exist, I have to think that this blade was not factory. If it’s 4.875” closed, it was made by Schrade Cutlery Co and not George Schrade Knife Co.

[wiseguy]

Very interesting, my knee jerk reaction is that the blade is incorrect but over the last 40 years of collecting antique switchblades I’ve seen some uncommon variations so…. If i had it in hand to examine my opinion might change, as mentioned above, this similar style blade has been used on old switchblades but as far as I know not on any G.Schrade knives except the pressbutton knife company.

[RalphAlsip]

This comparison might be useful. It shows a typical Schrade Cut Co (not Geo. Schrade) saber ground clip blade along with the typical blade found in the R2403 along side the knife in question.

[goldwood]

I want to thank everyone for their EXCELLENT input. This just confirms my suspicion regarding my knife.

[wiseguy]

The blade looks alot like from a Colonial brand switch blade knife and coincidentally uses a similar configuration of lock…. Most are so faintly stamped and some have no stamp so could be a good candidate to fake.

[RalphAlsip]

The blade looks alot like from a Colonial brand switch blade knife and coincidentally uses a similar configuration of lock…. Most are so faintly stamped and some have no stamp so could be a good candidate to fake.

Nice detective work.

[Bill DeShivs]

It's very unlikely that one could adapt a Colonial blade to a G. Schrade frame. Though I have never tried it, I have been inside a whole lot of autos. Even a very slight manufacturing difference would preclude the blade working.

If you'll notice the blade in this knife is shaped exactly like the flat ground Remington blade- meaning it was ground from the same blank.

Again, I see no indication that the knife has ever been worked on, and I do know that old George made a lot of uncatalogued items and a lot of prototypes. He may have made a small run (or even just one) of these for Remington's perusal.

And, why would anyone even bother to fake this knife? I do know there are people who would do such a thing if there were a market for it, but there are very few with the expertise to pull this off. Ask anyone who works on Schrade knives if they could do it, or if they see any indication that the knife has been worked on.

Have you asked Erickson?

[Bill DeShivs]

BTW- you can't just take out a pin and swap a blade in these knives.
The knife would have to be totally disassembled to swap the blade, and then reassembled.

[shursnap]

Sorry to say it's a BOGUS knife. I do believe it's a Colonial Jumbo Jack blade with a fake etch. The stamp is way off. Someone with some imagination and talent worked on it. I've seen a colonial blade put in a Geo Schrade knife before. Apparently it isn't that hard.

[Bill DeShivs]

Well, I'm wrong again! Whoever did it has a lot of talent, and no scruples.

[wiseguy]

Well, I'm wrong again! Whoever did it has a lot of talent, and no scruples.

It happens to the best of us Bill , i learn something new most every day.