Newby Question...

[alh3788]

I am fairly young and have been collecting since I was younger and I came across something kind of unique in a lot of knives that my grandfather left me. It's a little dirty on the blade but I can see "Imp" on the top line and USA on the second line. I think it is an "Imperial." Anyway it is a single blade knife. It has kind of a keychain type hook thing and the handle is some kind of yellow mother of pearl or something. The interesting part is that it is a push button knife with a safety switch. I was just wondering if anybody had any idea about one of these or where I could find some info on it. I enjoy researching the history of all of my knives and I just can't get a history on this one. Thanks.

[deanmm56]

Hello alh and to AAPK,

You've come to the right place to ask questions and receive informative answers ..... pictures would definitely help in identifying your prized possession for sure, so if you could post a few pics, I'm sure someone here at this site can help you.

[tjmurphy]

This may help you date the knife if you can get the tang stamp in a readable condition.

ImperialTangStamps1.jpg (36.66 KiB) Viewed 9284 times

ImperialTangStamps2.jpg (40.51 KiB) Viewed 9284 times

ImperialTangStamps3.jpg (33.95 KiB) Viewed 9284 times

Hope this helps. Good luck with Granpa's knives.

[Oman]

Hi, and welcome. What you probably have is an Imperial, made in Providence R.I. switchblade with "Cracked Ice" handles.

There were lots of these made and could be bought in hardware and drug stores. If it is in good working order it is worth some money, depending on condition. A pic. would help.

O

[FRJ]

By all means, hang on to those knives. And keep researching. Best of luck. Joe

[Knife Nut]

Welcome alh
The knives that were handed down to me from family are my true keepers. Don't let them go. They will become more valuable to you as time goes on. Trust me on that one!

Paul

[pflyrodder]

Thanks, TJ, for tang stamp samples. I just picked up an Imperial from an antique store. When I got it home I looked at the tang stamp and it reads Imperial, Ireland. I bought it for a restoration project. The bolsters appear to be wrapped, scales appear to be shells. What do you think? Kinda having second thoughts about taking this apart. Maybe I should just hand work it as best I can with it in tact---get the rust off the blades, shine em up.

[pflyrodder]

Some pictures---

[DAO1964]

This was my Dad's knife. Well I guess if he wanted it back, I'd give it to him.

[Paladin]

I have used the Imperial dating chart several times in the last few days and I have to search each time I need it.
Is there any way we could get it into the drop down at the top of the page??

[buckeyefan]

alh3788,

I would use a little Simichrome Polish with a Q tip on the tang, that should clear it up enough to read.

Marty

[Sasquach]

I found this Imperial shell handle jack knife on ebay, it "spoke" to me so I snagged it. I was wondering how to date it and ran across this thread on, of course, AAPK. This knife looks to be near mint. According to the chart above it was made between 1956 and 1988. I'm a newbie to dating Imperials, did Imperial Prov. RI go out of business in 1988?

[TripleF]

I found this Imperial shell handle jack knife on ebay, it "spoke" to me so I snagged it. I was wondering how to date it and ran across this thread on, of course, AAPK. This knife looks to be near mint. According to the chart above it was made between 1956 and 1988. I'm a newbie to dating Imperials, did Imperial Prov. RI go out of business in 1988?

Knice knife!! Knice photo!!

Not sure when they went out of business....someone will know!!!

[1967redrider]

Sas, that's a very nice one! From T.J.'s (RIP ) chart above, it looks like you're in the 1955 - 1988 range. Someone else might be able to nail it down tighter.

John

[Jeffinn]

Some pictures---

That is a shell handle knife. The bolsters and handles are stamped, thin metal.
Jeff

[Sasquach]

I found this Imperial shell handle jack knife on ebay, it "spoke" to me so I snagged it. I was wondering how to date it and ran across this thread on, of course, AAPK. This knife looks to be near mint. According to the chart above it was made between 1956 and 1988. I'm a newbie to dating Imperials, did Imperial Prov. RI go out of business in 1988?

Knice knife!! Knice photo!!

Not sure when they went out of business....someone will know!!!

Thanks Scott. This knife reminds me of the "carnival knives" we used to win at the carnivals and fairs when I was a kid. They were cheaply made but they sure did cut a lot of fishin' line and sharpen a lot of wiener roastin' sticks!

[Sasquach]

Sas, that's a very nice one! From T.J.'s (RIP ) chart above, it looks like you're in the 1955 - 1988 range. Someone else might be able to nail it down tighter.

John

Thanks John.

I was wondering if the Imperial of Prov. RI ended in 1988. I'll have to do some research when I get a chance.