Suspicious Tang Stamp

The W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company has a very rich history that began in 1889 when William Russell (“W.R.”), Jean, John, and Andrew Case began fashioning their knives and selling them along a wagon trail in upstate New York. The company has produced countless treasures and it continues to do so as one of the most collected brands in the world.
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Dougie stale 1123
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Suspicious Tang Stamp

Post by Dougie stale 1123 »

I recently saw a Case mini trapper with the letters LTD stamped on the main blade. Did Case ever put this stamp on any knives or does this one go into the fake category?
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Mumbleypeg
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Re: Suspicious Tang Stamp

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Depends on the age of the knife, and your definition of “mini-trapper”. In the last 30 -40 years Case (and aftermarket modifiers of Case knives) have made so many variations it’s hard, if not impossible, to keep up with them all. Depending on your perspective there are authentic Case-made, and authentic aftermarket-altered Case knives. Need to see pictures of the knife to make an assessment but in general if it’s from within the last 30-40 years it’s possibly authentic, and not likely a fake. If older than that it may be a fake. JMO

Here’s a tang stamp from a series made in 1995 for example, commemorating 100 years of some Case-related event. ::shrug::

Ken
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Dougie stale 1123
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Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2024 5:29 pm

Re: Suspicious Tang Stamp

Post by Dougie stale 1123 »

Thanks for the help. I bought an older Case knife years ago and got a fake. So anytime I see something different, I like to ask questions. Some fakes are made very well and it is disappointing to discover that you wasted money on something a dishonest person made.
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Mumbleypeg
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Re: Suspicious Tang Stamp

Post by Mumbleypeg »

Dougie stale 1123 wrote: Mon Jul 07, 2025 2:27 am Thanks for the help. I bought an older Case knife years ago and got a fake. So anytime I see something different, I like to ask questions. Some fakes are made very well and it is disappointing to discover that you wasted money on something a dishonest person made.
As a victim myself I fully understand. However most counterfeit traditional pattern knives are of old pre-1980 knives. That’s where the money is - for example taking a $20-30 Kutmaster and modifying/re-tamping it to look like a $200-300+ Case TESTED XX knife from pre-WWII. Same Kutmaster made into a newer, post-1980 knife isn’t worth the trouble.

So if you’re into collecting older knives do your homework before hand. If you’re into newer knives it’s unlikely you’ll buy an outright counterfeit. You might buy something some hobbiest has modified though (changed the blade shape or handle covers) but it’s unlikely they’ll be asking a kings ransom for it. But by all means ask questions if you’re unsure. AAPK is a good place to ask - lots of knowledge here. We like pictures though - without pictures it’s difficult to answer questions.

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/
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