All About Pocket Knives

I have a CASE Bulldog that just says "CASE" on the tang stamp. There is no XX, no USA, no nothing. In my Sargent guide (6th ed.) it shows a few different tang stamps, but not just "CASE."

Is this knife a fake? I wonder. Here are some pics. Thanks for any help.

All the ones I have seen have xx,except for the XX Classic Clasp.Here is one on ebay Item number: 140088379192 I hope this helps.

It is a real Bulldog and it's the first edition, there were three. The bolster is covering up the "XX" that's stamped under CASE. Looks like the blade has been buffed 'cause the lettering and the bulldog should be black, figure they buffed off the ink.
Perry

are you sure there is nothing under case, hidden by bolster?

I think I see the edge of an "X" under the bolster.

See the following pics:

Their on there just like the Classic Clasp.

PS:Thats some nice stag bone handles!

I asked this question a long time ago . . . but now I'm curious . . . what year was this Bulldog manufactured? Thanks.

thats a real one alright. i have one also. i would have to look them up to see what different years they made them but that one looks to me to have been made between 1965-69. i have one like it and mine is a 1965-69 model as well. heres mine.

The first knife pictured is a 1st issue which has the "XX" stamp and I think they came out right around 1960 (Knifeaholic may correct me on this). There was a 2nd issue (also called a transition) that was made in 1965 and it's tang stamp is "CASE XX" with U.S.A. stamped underneath it. The 3rd issue, which is the picture that Steve just posted was made from 1966 to 1969. It's stamp is "Case XX" with 5172 stamped underneath it.

An easy way to spot a first or second issue is to look at the back of the blade, they are all stamped "HAND MADE IN U.S.A." on the blade itself.

Knifekid wrote:The first knife pictured is a 1st issue which has the "XX" stamp and I think they came out right around 1960 (Knifeaholic may correct me on this). There was a 2nd issue (also called a transition) that was made in 1965 and it's tang stamp is "CASE XX" with U.S.A. stamped underneath it. The 3rd issue, which is the picture that Steve just posted was made from 1966 to 1969. It's stamp is "Case XX" with 5172 stamped underneath it.

An easy way to spot a first or second issue is to look at the back of the blade, they are all stamped "HAND MADE IN U.S.A." on the blade itself.

IIRC the 5172 was not in the 1959 Case catalog; there was not another catalog issued until 1964 and the 5172 is shown in that catalog. So it must have been introduced sometime between 1959 and 1964. Only the individual annual price lists would show the exact year.

im not sure about what issue 1st, 2nd, or 3rd mine is, but the front of the blade is tang stamped..... case xx with 5172 under it and the back of the blade is also tang stamped....... hand made in the usa.
the other knife pictured has.... hand made in usa...... stamped on it as well and they didnt start putting usa on the blades until 1964-65 so i wouldnt think that knife with usa being on the blade was made before 1965.

i just checked parkers pocket knife traders price guide vol.7 and it lists the 5172 being made back during the 1920-40 period as well, on page 153.

Knifeaholic,
Thanks for the input...I knew you would be on top of it!

Steve,
Yours is a 3rd issue, A & E's is a first issue. I have a 2nd issue laying around here somewhere, I'll dig it out a take a couple of pictures of it to show the difference. If any of you guys have a copy of Jim Sargent's 6th edition, you will see all three versions on page 34.

Case has been making the 172 pattern since the Bradford days. However, they weren't etched with a Bulldog until the early 60's as Knifeaholic indicated.

no big deal, like i said, i readily admit i dont know about what issue or what not. all i know about is the year made, but im not sure if they were making them between 1920-40, how one that was made between 1965-69 could be a first issue?

Thank you for the information, guys. I really do appreciate it.

hey steve, i believe first issue pertains to the etched models, not the early version of the p172