How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

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Pawn1
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How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by Pawn1 »

Does the blade have to be uneven in open position when butting against the back spring or would you say this is a muskrat blade?
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Pawn1
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Re: How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by Pawn1 »

Just curious if I’m doing something wrong? No One seems to want to help.
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Re: How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by Mumbleypeg »

The answer to your question is a fairly obscure detail in a fairly obscure “niche” of knife trivia. The lack of response is probably because no one that has seen your question has an answer. I’ve been collecting Case knives over 50 years and I don’t have a clue. :lol:

Plus, if someone can answer from just looking at the end view of the bolster, I’m gonna be really impressed. When your post said “muskrat blade” I’m expecting to see a picture showing the blades, not just the butt end of the knife. So if your question can be answered from just looking at that view of the knife, again, I’m amazed.

Doesn’t bother me to admit, I have no idea. ::shrug:: If you do find an answer and it’s not from here please come back and enlighten me too! ::handshake::

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Re: How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by doglegg »

Pawn 1 how about a pic of the whole knife and open blade. Maybe you will get an answer. ::nod:: ::nod::
olderdogs1
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Re: How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by olderdogs1 »

Yes, would have to see the whole knife. Also the tang stamp should be a USA 1965-69 stamp. People here are glad to help but need more information.

Tom
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Re: How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by jerryd6818 »

This is a 5254 for comparison. The scrolled bolsters & S/N are because it was a special. Other than that, I'm a little confused about what you are asking.
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Case Rat Trapper - 05254 SS Sn 137 Stag - Open Mark - Labeled.JPG
Case Rat Trapper - 05254 SS Sn 137 Stag - Open Pile.JPG
Case Rat Trapper - 05254 SS Sn 137 Stag - Pattern Stamp.JPG
Case Rat Trapper - 05254 SS Sn 137 Stag - Sn.JPG
Case Rat Trapper - 05254 SS Sn 137 Stag - Tang Stamp & Blade Etch.JPG
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Re: How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by knifeaholic »

Three things to be a true "Muskrat" blade:

#1 - Blade is narrower than typical.

#2 - Blade sits lower in the frame when open (where the tang meets the backspring) as compared to the spay blade.

#3 - Blade sits lower in the frame when closed as compared to the spay blade.

All three have to be there for a true "Muskrat" blade.
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Re: How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by QTCut5 »

The master blade on jerryd's 54 trapper looks like a Muskrat blade to me. And I'm curious about the "0" in the pattern number...does that signify a Muskrat blade, perhaps? (Most Case 54 Trappers don't have a "0" in the pattern number as far as I'm aware.)
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Re: How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by jerryd6818 »

~Q~, is that a zero or an O ?? Whadda ya think?
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Re: How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by Steve Warden »

jerryd6818 wrote: Thu Apr 15, 2021 6:49 pm ~Q~, is that a zero or an O ?? Whadda ya think?
"O" - Ornate

Just kidding. I have no ideal. ::facepalm::
I have a Case 6318 with the scrolled bolsters and serial number, sans "O" or "0".
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Re: How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by QTCut5 »

jerryd6818 wrote: Thu Apr 15, 2021 6:49 pm ~Q~, is that a zero or an O ?? Whadda ya think?
I think it is actually the letter "O" but since I have never seen any Case pattern with an "O" prefix and I have seen case pattern numbers that begin with a zero, I figured it must be a zero. I've seen a lot of Case pattern numbers with different letter prefixes, but never an "O" and, for the life of me I can't figure out what it could possibly stand for. ::shrug:: The prefixes I'm familiar with usually correspond to the handle color but your Trapper obviously isn't Orange or Olive (Green). I am trying to relate it somehow to the Genuine Stag handle...but keep coming up empty. BTW, I have a Genuine Stag Mini Trapper with the same blade etch that does not have an "O" prefix in the pattern number (5207)...so, whatever it stands for, it must be something other than handle color. :?
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Re: How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by 1967redrider »

Might seem like a dumb question, but is it a USA (1965-1969) era knife?
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Re: How do you tell a 5254 trapper with muskrat blade?

Post by Papa Bones »

QTCut5 wrote: Thu Apr 15, 2021 6:12 pm The master blade on jerryd's 54 trapper looks like a Muskrat blade to me. And I'm curious about the "0" in the pattern number...does that signify a Muskrat blade, perhaps? (Most Case 54 Trappers don't have a "0" in the pattern number as far as I'm aware.)

I have seen this on Case XX knives that have a couple of special features at the same time. It is actually a Zero. "0" A lot of times Case adds this to one of the Limited Editions prefix of the pattern number when it also has a special feature like scrolled bolsters along with a Production Number etched or stamped on the blade or bolsters.

From the Case Research section here on AAPK.

Extra zeros

In the past, Case has added one or two zeros to an original pattern number to signify a variation of an existing pattern. These zeros can be found before the first digit, or between the blade identification number, and the original factory pattern number.
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