Cattaraugus Cutlery Co. Compass Knife
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:42 am
I just yesterday received in the mail an old Cattaraugus scout knife I had "won" on ebay. What makes this knife somewhat unique and different from the other scout pattern knives I own is the fact that it has, imbedded in the handle on the mark side, a small compass.
When I examined the knife I also found that on the back side tang of the master spear blade was stamped "U.S.Pat. 1115780". This patent number aroused my curiosity so I called on my ace in the hole research expert, Mr. Owd Wullie himself to seek further infomation regarding the time and other particulars of the patent. He was able to come up with what I found to be some facinating information. As soon as he's done feeding the chickens and sloppin the hogs I hope he'll join in and share with us the information he was able to gather on this old knife.
In the meantime, let me quote from my recently acquired copy of "Goins' Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings" (also known to us by the simpler name "Goins" as the books previous owner, the late Mr. Johnnie Fain so frequently referred to it) the following information;
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CATTARAUGUS CUTLERY CO. LITTLE VALLEY N.Y.
c 1886-1963 Founded by John B.F.Champlin, and ran by members of the Champlin family during the entire existence of the company. The firm was originally called J.B.F.Champlin. founded in 1880 as a jobbing firm. Tint Champlin joined the firm in 1882, and the name became J.B.F.Champlin & Son.
In 1886, Champlin's brother-in-laws, the four Case Brothers, W.R., John D., Jean, and Andrew became members of the firm, and the name of the firm was changed to the Cataraugus Cutlery Company. Cattaraugus became a manufacturing concern about 1890 when they purchased the tools and equipment from the defunct Beaver Falls Cutlery Company. Cattaraugus made an excellent quality knife, many patterns are avidly sought by today's collector. The firm went out of business in 1963.
In the early 1970's, old parts were used to make completed knives using the old marking.
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Phil
When I examined the knife I also found that on the back side tang of the master spear blade was stamped "U.S.Pat. 1115780". This patent number aroused my curiosity so I called on my ace in the hole research expert, Mr. Owd Wullie himself to seek further infomation regarding the time and other particulars of the patent. He was able to come up with what I found to be some facinating information. As soon as he's done feeding the chickens and sloppin the hogs I hope he'll join in and share with us the information he was able to gather on this old knife.
In the meantime, let me quote from my recently acquired copy of "Goins' Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings" (also known to us by the simpler name "Goins" as the books previous owner, the late Mr. Johnnie Fain so frequently referred to it) the following information;
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CATTARAUGUS CUTLERY CO. LITTLE VALLEY N.Y.
c 1886-1963 Founded by John B.F.Champlin, and ran by members of the Champlin family during the entire existence of the company. The firm was originally called J.B.F.Champlin. founded in 1880 as a jobbing firm. Tint Champlin joined the firm in 1882, and the name became J.B.F.Champlin & Son.
In 1886, Champlin's brother-in-laws, the four Case Brothers, W.R., John D., Jean, and Andrew became members of the firm, and the name of the firm was changed to the Cataraugus Cutlery Company. Cattaraugus became a manufacturing concern about 1890 when they purchased the tools and equipment from the defunct Beaver Falls Cutlery Company. Cattaraugus made an excellent quality knife, many patterns are avidly sought by today's collector. The firm went out of business in 1963.
In the early 1970's, old parts were used to make completed knives using the old marking.
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Phil
You should post a picture of it over in the scout knives thread.
