All About Pocket Knives

I have an old 4" Case Hawkbill with a tang stamp that is not on the standard list used to identify the age of the knife. On this web site's page that addresses this issue, it states that not all stamps are pictured because of the large number of variations. It is not in Sargent's American Premium Guide either. This stamp has W.R. CASE & SONS on the first line and BRADFORD, PA on the second line, one or two point sizes smaller. The W.R. is not readable but should be there on the kick so the first and second line are centered. The knife is very old and very worn. Any ideas on where to find a comprehensive list? Thanks.

Hello patpemberton,

Case knives with the name Bradford stamped on the tang always date pre-1920. The stamp on your knife sounds like many used between 1905 - 1920. I am not aware of any publications that have a comprehensive list of all tang stamps ever used by case, but you may find a copy of Jim Parker's Pocket knife trader's price guide helpful. I don't have a recent copy, but I think there are a few pages that illustrate some tang stamp variations.

Bryan