Marbles Knife

[tucker308]

I picked this up at a recent gun show. I think it is early, like pre-1913 b/c of the "MSA" tangstamp. I have a similar knife, but it is a standard hunting knife size. This is the biggest Marbles knife I've seen. Any info would be appreciated.

[SwedgeHead]

Sorry to say that what you have is a newer generation Marbles. First indication was that there is no "Gladstone" marking but the 1992 is the kicker. Here is a link to another for your ref. https://www.ebay.com/itm/335818436195

Still a cool BIG knife, Mick Dundee would approve, and if you got a deal even better.

[Gunsil]

Swedgehead is right, modern copy of an old Marbles. I would not call it a "newer generation" because Parker did not have the rights to the Marbles name and was sued by the owners of the name to cease and desist using that name. Therefor the knife is not an authorized use of the name and not really a "new generation". The actual Marbles version was called "Trailmaker" and was the largest knife they made. I hope you did not pay antique Marbles prices for it.

[SwedgeHead]

Thanks Gunsil, always learning on here. I did find this post where folks are discussing mr. Parker and make mention of the Marble's infringment. https://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_ ... php?t=4184

[ken98k]

Here's a Trail Maker next to a Cold Steel Trail Master for comparison. The marbles is a little longer but the Cold Steel is thicker.

[tucker308]

beautiful Marbles

[Gunsil]

That stag on stag knife is not a real Marbles either. I sold my last Trail Maker last year so I can't post a picture of what the marks look like.

[tucker308]

wish I could see the tang stamps...both sides

[Gunsil]

All the original Marbles knives were only marked on the front side, nothing on the pile side. Trail Makers used the same marks as other Marbles knives of the same era. Hopefully someone with an original Trail Maker will read this and post some photos. This is a pocket knife forum so most here are folding knife collectors and don't have a lot of fixed blades. I have been a fixed blade collector for over 60 years and at one point had a couple thousand of them but have been selling them for ten years since I don't have anybody related who has an interest in them. There are books on Marbles knives that do show all the original marks. I'd get at least one of them if you like Marbles knives.

[1967redrider]

The bottom knife is a Trail Maker, 10" with the 2 line Axe stamp.

[Gunsil]

Thanks John! I knew somebody would come through with a photo of a real one.

[tucker308]

Is the pyle side blank on both of the bottom knives?

[1967redrider]

Is the pyle side blank on both of the bottom knives?

No stamp on all three. The only Marble's fixed blades I have seen with both sides of the ricasso stamped are the Patn. Pend. 1916 and Buster Brown Shoes/St. Louis Woodcrafts. Maybe there's a Boy Scouts Woodcraft too with both sides stamped.

[ken98k]

That stag on stag knife is not a real Marbles either. I sold my last Trail Maker last year so I can't post a picture of what the marks look like.

Who made Marbles MSA?

[1967redrider]

That stag on stag knife is not a real Marbles either. I sold my last Trail Maker last year so I can't post a picture of what the marks look like.

Who made Marbles MSA?

Here's what a Google Search says.