Imperial date range

upnorth · Post by **upnorth** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:20 am

Nice little boy's knife, used very little.
Can anyone tell me the date of manufacture, or the use of the IK Co stamp? I think shell handle construction started ca.1936, so it must be after that - or??

Joe Dirt · Post by **Joe Dirt** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:26 am

$2.50 per Dz.
1959 Imperial catalog

They were offered with or without the chain.
Hard to find them with the chain.

Not sure when the first shell handles were produced

It wasn't long after Imperial bought Hammer Brand though.
'36 sounds about right

I'll have to do a little searching on the IKCO stamp.

Great knife!

............ Joe

upnorth · Post by **upnorth** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 4:16 am

Thanks Joe!! I copied the poster for my file - hope you don't mind!!

cusprider · Post by **cusprider** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 8:45 am

I.K.CO.--Imperial Knife Company?

philco · Post by **philco** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:13 pm

cusprider wrote:I.K.CO.--Imperial Knife Company?

That is correct.

I checked two reference books and found that the I.K.Co. or the IKCO stamp was used starting in 1917 through the 1940s, this according to Blade's Guide to Knives and Their Values.
Searching Goin's Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings I found a listing for the I.K.Co. stamp located inside a rectangle used from c.1925-1940, and the same stamping located inside a diamond from c.1928-1930. There was no listing for the tang stamp not inside a rectangle or diamond.

Phil

gino · Post by **gino** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:47 pm

Upnorth, I have the same little knife and this info helped a lot. Thanks for posting the thread.

Knife Nut · Post by **Knife Nut** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:58 pm

So........is the little boys knife in question 1950's vintage, or pre 1940's?

Paul

gino · Post by **gino** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:02 pm

Paul, I would guess the 50's just from the style and handle material.

Joe Dirt · Post by **Joe Dirt** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:05 pm

I believe the knives posted are from the '50s thru

This is about the time celluloid was being phased out.

I think I have a couple IKCO's with plastic scales!

........ Joe

gino · Post by **gino** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 3:11 pm

Joe, I cant tell from your post or not but you know these have metal handles?

Joe Dirt · Post by **Joe Dirt** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 5:50 pm

Ya Gino, I've got a few of them.
Since they are NOT covered with cell - leads me to believe
there in the later date range.

........ Joe

upnorth · Post by **upnorth** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:15 am

Thanks everyone for the comments so far! Each little bit adds up to a likely history.
Nice example Gino! They look cool with a little pocket wear - gives the handles nicer detail.

Joe Dirt · Post by **Joe Dirt** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:33 pm

So, is anyone in the market for one of these "JOHNNIE JUNIORS"?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Imperial-Fo ... 2ea9dd0b08
Peanut shell jigging!!!
It's a real steal!

.......... Joe

philco · Post by **philco** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 10:50 pm

Joe Dirt wrote:So, is anyone in the market for one of these "JOHNNIE JUNIORS"?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Imperial-Fo ... 2ea9dd0b08
Peanut shell jigging!!!
It's a real steal!

.......... Joe

With that 89.3% positive feedback you can buy with confidence. No returns but hey....why worry!

Miller Bro's · Post by **Miller Bro's** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:05 am

Phil, think of the upside of the purchase, you will earn $1.00 in Ebay Bucks

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