All About Pocket Knives

Marble`s pocket knives, other than the patented safety folding hunter, are rare. The early ones were made by Case for Marbles. There were many different patterns made the most desirable is probably the pearl handle E. Toe

Please post some if you have any here

This is a nice stag handle folder I have.

I have been in search of the Marble's pearl handled toenail for 40 years. I have come to the conclusion that it does not exist!
I would gladly pay $100 just to have the honor of holding one.

Paul

Knife Nut wrote:I have been in search of the Marble's pearl handled toenail for 40 years. I have come to the conclusion that it does not exist!

Sure it does, here is a catalog cut of the knife and an actual one. (Photos from Dunathan)

Pertaining to the Marble's toenail, here is the quote from Dunathan's book, "The Encyclopedia Of Marble's Knives and Sporting Collectibles":
"From the beginning, Marble made it abundantly clear that he neither designed nor made the knives........ in the 1907 catalog, Marble made it even more clear that his company was not making the knives."
The author goes on to add, "There were no (pearl sunfish) pocket knives originally marked M.S.A.; those known to collectors are fakes. Time will tell the truth."

Paul

This is what Scott King has to say about the matter:

http://www.elephanttoenails.com/index.html

I saw a pearl Marbles elephant toenail at The Spirit Of Steel show in Knoxville, TN last year (2010). It was the center-piece in a personal collection of a LOT of Marbles knives & other products that were being displayed only and not for sale. I know Case made them for Marbles and the knife itself looked just like an old pearl Case toenail except for the tang stamp. I actually first thought it was a Case knife.

I talked to the owner a little about it and he said he had several "dibs" placed on it should he ever decide to sell. He also told me that he had turned down a prior, legitimate offer of $12,000. on the knife.

That sounds like it might have been Gordon White from Cuthbert, Georgia.

Tell me, were the Marbles pocket knives made by Case or had they also been made by Case Brothers?

Charlie Noyes

Hi Charlie,
I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure they were only made by Case Brothers for Marbles. They were made in the early 1900's.

That's what I thought, but Marbles and Case, of any time period, are not my areas of interest. I asume I read it somewhere, probably Levine's.
C. Noyes

The pocket knives were shown in one of the early Marbles catalogs, and the patterns and pattern numbers match those of Case Brothers knives. The catalog cuts may have even had the XX mark on the main blade, I do not recall.

Some have speculated that Case Brothers did supply the knives to Marbles for Marbles to distribute, but that the knives were standard Case Brothers knives, not made with Marbles tang stamps. Of course, assuming that the pearl toenail is authentic, then that would be one example that was stamped with the Marbles trademark.

Yes Sir,

I believe Marbles did have a Pearl Sunfish as well as Stag, On contract? it seems very much so, see pattern #'s. In the photos there is a Pearl Marbles Sunfish on the front Cover of "The Old Knife Book", Tracy Tudor. Inside the front cover gives this description in the second Photo.

Bonehead

bonehead wrote:Yes Sir,

I believe Marbles did have a Pearl Sunfish as well as Stag, On contract? it seems very much so, see pattern #'s. In the photos there is a Pearl Marbles Sunfish on the front Cover of "The Old Knife Book", Tracy Tudor. Inside the front cover gives this description in the second Photo.

Bonehead

Yes, but my point is that is only a catalog picture from the old catalog. We have no idea whether the line was actually made with the MSA tang stamping. It may be that it was shown in the catalog that way but the actual knives were never made. Speculation only.

Steve,

I do understand what you are saying. But then, in this point in time 2011 how do we say yea, or neah? It seems we can only go by what tangible examples are out there. And then leave it up to the experts who either qualify the knife or Not Correct?

BH

bonehead wrote:Steve,

I do understand what you are saying. But then, in this point in time 2011 how do we say yea, or neah? It seems we can only go by what tangible examples are out there. And then leave it up to the experts who either qualify the knife or Not Correct?

BH

Absolutely correct!!!

It would be great to see some really good pictures including tang stamps of the MSA pearl toenail that exists. It may be the only example ever to surface.

Check out the link below for a great article about Marbles pearl elephant toenails written by Scott King.


http://www.iknifecollector.com/group/el ... sa-marbles

A nice old Axe made by Marble`s, I know it`s not a knife

Man was I surprised to see that axe. I bought mine about 15 years ago at a farm auction and it was painted with real thick black paint. It took alot of work to clean it up but it was worth it.

Very nice JKB!

It cleaned up real well

it was painted with real thick black paint. It took alot of work to clean it up but it was worth it.

You did a fine job on that ax. The wood looks terrific.

I'm posting these pictures because it was requested by Miller Bros.

Great pictures, eyeselect, and welcome to AAPK!

1967redrider,
Thanks for the nice welcome!

Here's a knife that hit eBay a few months ago;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CASE-BROS-C-190 ... 7675.l2557

Looks like it sat in a bucket of water for years......

Painting camp axes must have been a popular pastime in years past, mine is painted red. I didn't dare take the paint off until I knew that none came that color. I bought mine in excellent condition (except for the paint) at a gun show for $15.