Bulldog dilemma.......

gmusic · Post by **gmusic** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 7:54 pm

Howdy All,

I have a bit of a dilemma here, and could use some help. The top knife in the picture of three is a Mini Trapper or Presentation Trapper (no date stamp) second is a Copperhead (no date) and third is a 1993 Sowbelly with Cutting Horse etching. They are all supposed to be genuine Ivory, which the first two I found reference of in Parker’s volume 7 page 113, but nothing for the Sowbelly. The Sowbelly has the Club shield which makes me think it’s from the card series, but there is no mention of Ivory in that series.

I guess my Questions are; what date applies to the Trapper and Copperhead, and where do I find something on the Sowbelly?

I snatched these up some time back, and never looked them up before.

This is the only reference book I have for Bulldogs. Is there one out there that’s more comprehensive?

Thank you for your help ………………..

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:31 pm

I believe I can answer that, the top is a presentation trapper and it looks like there is a double dog head etched on the blade, likely the double dog head is stamped on the tang also, so it's a fifth generation made after 2000. I need a picture of the tang stamp on the copperhead to tell when it was made.

As for the cutting horse, 100 were made in interior ivory and 100 made in pearl with 1993 blades. I'm told these were made around 2000 or so using older blades. Makes sense because Bulldog does not have anything documented in Mastodon Ivory or Elephant Ivory during the third generation. The earliest documentation of these materials is around 1998, which is the middle of the fourth generation.

Post a picture of the copperhead so the tang stamp can be seen, likely a 5th generation also (after 2000). If so, it will have the double dog head on the tang stamp. There were a few made in 2004 (25th Anniversary) that had the pair of fighting dogs, but the date was left off.

gmusic · Post by **gmusic** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 8:42 pm

Thanks Hukk............

Yes, they are double dog, on both the Trapper and the Copperhead. The Sowbelly, assembled in 5th gen. timeframe with 1993 blades makes sense to me. Seems I read something to that effect in Parkers, but it didn't specifically mention the Sowbelly. Parts is parts, gotta use them up!

Thanks again Hukk…………………..

Hukk · Post by **Hukk** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 3:13 am

Your welcome! The card series also called Scimitar Sowbelly was 3 3/8 inch sowbellies (Cuttin' Horse 3 7/8 inch) and were made in 1995 only. The shields on these are Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades, as in a deck of cards. I like them and think that they should have made more of them, in following years. They also have that black etch that I really don't care for but it does make them unique for the time and these tend to fetch high prices. Here is a picture, once you see the blade configuration, you will be able to spot them right off. This is cracked ice and not Oystershell and they also had Imitation Ivory in the 3rd generation. Here is also a picture of one of my favorite Cuttin' Horse in pearl. This is a 3rd generation prototype pearl and I have a copy of the invoice papers from the Friedrich Olbertz Company dated September 1993.

At this time there no better comprehensive reference than a few of the members of this site and of course, ALL of Jim Parker's books.

OK, just have to do it

here is a favorite picture in my Bulldog collection. A member of this site helped me get the last 2 Calf Ropers in this picture. The knives pictured in the catalog are the same as in this picture and these are some of the first prototypes delivered after Jim Parker bought Bulldog from Charlie Dorton. The tangs have Rostfrei and the prototype is in print rather than script. All 5 have Bulldog Brand Proto #2 on the back of the blade.
Here are 3 of the toothpicks used to take pictures for the back of he same catalog that the Calf Ropers were on (front cover). There are no markings on any of the toothpick tangs. All of these have shipping invoices signed by Achim Gronauer of Friedrich Olbertz or a copy of the invoice signed by Jim Parker.

Actually, these all belong to my son now.

jonet143 · Post by **jonet143** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 3:47 am

hukk......gaahhhhhh! so nice!

gmusic · Post by **gmusic** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 3:49 am

WOW...............

Those are really nice! That cutting horse pearl is.............damn man!

Pearl and Ivory have to be my favorites...........then stag.......then

Very cool Hukk

Thanks for shareing............