Marbles 8inch ideal

[253Barlow]

Can anybody help me with information on this marbles 8 inch, such as when it was made or any other information would be great. Thanks. Mike

[1967redrider]

I love vintage Marbles items!

That one is sweet for sure. From the 2 line, as opposed to the normal 3 line, ricasso stamp it was made between 1918 and WW II. The stamp is called an "axe stamp" and was derived from their axe head stamps. It was used on 7, 8 & 10" blades. That sheath looks authentic too, it's a shame the snap is missing.

This information is from Arni Dunathan's book, The Encyclopedia of Marbles Knives and Sporting Collectibles, 2005, and is a must have book for Marbles collectors, IMO. I'm included a photo of my current Marbles collection. Finding their sporting equipment makes collecting fun for me, good luck with your collection.

[253Barlow]

Nice collection. thanks for info, I have one more ideal it is a 5 inch, I too love marbles!

[stagman]

Yep, thats the timeline on the axe stamp, sheath was discontinued too
at the onset of the war.
Great collection of Marble relics you got goin there redrider
Will
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/clearcreekknives

[MrBlister]

Het redrider or stagman or any other Marbles whale....
These 4 units arrived TX today fresh outta
the Dutchman mine...
I would imagine tang stamps mean sumpn
like all knives we see
Could ya help me with age and value..
They are far from mint and have NO sheaths

#1 8 1/4" with a plastic pommel of some kind (tang pic next to bottom of page)
#2 9" single red wrap with alloy pommel
#3 10 " with 4 rings stag pommel
#4 10 1/4" all stag 6 red rings

thanks in advance

[1967redrider]

Mr. Blister,

Quite the haul! The Woodcraft is pre-1930s with the left facing hook on the "A" and with a Bakelite pommel books around $150-300 mint. Does it have a 1/2" or 3/8" pommel nut? The Ideal with aluminum pommel and right facing "A" hook is post-WWII and well used, and books mint $175-$425 depending on blade length. The leather on stag Ideal looks longer but more blade loss, looks pre-1930s & books $425-$800 mint depending on pommel nut size. The last stag on stag is your money knife, 1911-1930 and could fetch you over $1,000 depending on the current market. These are just estimates, eBay or an interested buyer will determine the real price but I hope this helps. I got this information from Dunathan's book and Price and Zalesky's 15th Edition. Corrections are welcomed!

-John

[1967redrider]

Mr. Blister,

You give overall length but actual blade length is a better identifier. Also, the spacers were an option; more decorative cost more. But all of your knives are authentic Marble's in my opinion. Seeing the knives in person would help too.

-John

[MrBlister]

Wow John . .
Thank ya sooooooooooooo much..
I JUST KNEW one you guys would
put 10 years of experience and study into
one paragraph for me...
the pommel nut is smallish like 3/8
Guess i got a perty good
Marbles starter kit..

Dave

[1967redrider]

Oh yes, you're well on your way! Did any knives come with sheaths? You might be surprised at how much an original Marble leather sheath sells for. Having the knife/sheath set is something collectors love.

[MrBlister]

Naaah John . . not a correct sheath in da bunch ..
DID get a Dale Evans (front hanger) sheath.. NOT marbles..

[1967redrider]

Well now you just need to find the correct knife for that sheath. I have plenty of projects like that myself.

[wazu013]

Here's my one and only Marbles. I've been looking for a sheath for years.

[1967redrider]

Nice knife, wazu!

[stagman]

it is nice knife wazu, I really prefer the double hilt on an Ideal like yours
Mcblister, you got some dandies there, one thing I have noticed about Marble's
prices on their knives, they seem to run in high & lower patterns,,,
and so does the collector desire for them,,, 1-5 or 6 months at a crack, wierd yes, but so it goes, over and over again, this all started when the Lauermans bought the outfit and started back up after a 20 year absence, 1998-2008
I been selling Marble's for 10 years in my AAPK store and saw this over and over again
I have also seen this kinda phenomenom on ebay to,
Keep very tight tabs on sales and prices and try to sell on a upwards trend
Redrider gave you some good info on prices, love the way he mentioned all the spacers on
the 1 knife, custom order for a wealthier man back in the day for sure
your last knife is the stag Ideal is the money shot as he told ya
and I have seen Marble's sheaths go for upwards of 30% of the price of the doggone knife, that much added value,
redrider is pretty sharp on whats happening in the Marble's world
Will
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/clearcreekknives

[1967redrider]

Thanks for the kind words, Will.

-John