No Tang Stamp. need info

Hawke · Post by **Hawke** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 7:50 am

This was my Grandad's knife. It has no Tang Stamp and Ive not seen this before. Please look at this page with pics

I know the earlier "Case XX" didnt have pattern numbers often, but this one doesnt even have a Tang Stamp. Why would it not have a tang stamp at all?

skip · Post by **skip** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 2:59 pm

Hawke,
What size is it? Could it be an older 44? I have a couple 44's but they have the pinched bolsters.
Skip

Hawke · Post by **Hawke** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 5:49 pm

Oh sorry about the size.,,, its 4 inches ling closed
3 blade

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 6:38 pm

I'll guess maybe a blade replacement somewhere along the line??

Bill

Hawke · Post by **Hawke** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 8:59 pm

A friend told me:

"i looked thru my book and it looks like a 6393, to me, but could be a 630047 pattern. the 6393 measures 3 15/16 and the 630047 pattern measures 4 inches"

Upon a closer look it seems to be the shorter length

Hawke · Post by **Hawke** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 8:29 am

Steve, per your email ...Benard says you are right about the 6393.
I tend to accept the theory of rubbed off tang stamp. My grandfather wouldnt have had the blade replaced nor done it himself. I dont know if I'll put another "family history tidbit" to it with a stag handle on the wood side, leave it as my Dad did it, or send to Case for a new bone handle. This one will never be for sale so I'll just clean it up a little for now.

I have posted Benard's comments at the "My Grandfather's Knife " link at my website.

Interesting anwer to my question #5

5. I'm told the "Case XX 1920-1940" knives that don't have pattern stamps are the older ones. Is this always correct? You are repeating and further confusing an error that appears in all the Case books. "Case Tested XX" and related markings were used 1919-1945. CASE XX in two lines was used 1945-1965. At least 98% of Testeds do not have pattern numbers. The few that do, I don't know why they do. I have not seen any rhyme or reason to those few. The few patterns that sometimes have numbers usually don't. Some folks have theorized that the ones with numbers might have been salesman's samples, but I have known several old time Case reps, and they didn't need to see no numbers to identify a pattern. Most "Double XX" knives, i.e. post 1945, do have pattern numbers, so the postwar generation of retailers could reorder without waiting for the rep to call.

PS: I always wondered why they called them "green bone" LOL Never looked green to me and I would scratch my head on that one. (in Benards comments)

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 1:58 pm

Hawke,
Thanks for that information from Bernard, as it was interesting and educational for all. The "rubbed off" theory seems as good as any.
However, just as a clarification...I was not suggesting your grandfather, or some friend of his, replaced a blade...rather that maybe he had sent it in to Case for a replacement and an unmarked blade was used, as they have offered that type of service from the get go, I believe, and the main blade looks correct, and appears to show less sharpening wear than the others. That is, I guess, what I noticed. As Bernard mentions, there were Case reps as well, who might have helped someone with their favorite knife. Bob Cargill, of Cripple Creek fame, was such a rep for Case. Not all replacements are "Bad" if you have them done right.
But, since no one really knows

, "rubbed off" sounds good.

No matter, thanks for the interesting post.

Bill

Hawke · Post by **Hawke** » Sun Nov 27, 2005 7:44 pm

Thx Bill,
Ive addd you comments to the page as well.

Im slowly working on having a comment form for each knife like is on the GrandFathers knife page now