All About Pocket Knives

I have a 1985 case small trapper with the tang stamp IV 207. It is in mint condition,a scrimshaw,an american eagle,signed with the initials E D S. I would appreciate any infomation anyone can provide.

Case did make an ivory mini-trapper that year, but I have no idea who E.D.S. is.

I also have a Case ivory handle with eagle and another with plain ivory handle. My husband bought them new in the 80's. I am wondering the value for such knives.

Welcome to AAPK. I can’t answer your question about value. Unfortunately since the government placed a “ban” on ivory a few years ago the value of items made from it has plummeted. Most folks are so confused about the law and its affect on buying, selling, and owning ivory that they won’t buy anything containing it. On-line auction sites like eBay won’t even allow it to be listed, so sellers go to extremes to describe the item without using the “I” word.

Yet another example of bureaucratic tyranny.

Ken

ssjohnson wrote: ↑Thu Mar 25, 2021 2:27 pm I also have a Case ivory handle with eagle and another with plain ivory handle. My husband bought them new in the 80's. I am wondering the value for such knives.

to AAPK.

Are you wondering about the value because you're looking to sell your IV207s, perhaps?

As with any collectible, the value is based on two things: the amount someone is willing to pay for it, and the amount the seller is willing to let it go for. With ivory, it's very difficult to determine a specific value since there are so many factors at play...not the least of which are the laws/restrictions concerning the sale, purchase, shipping across state lines, etc., as Ken mentioned above. The regulations have created scarcity, i.e., fewer ivory products in the marketplace. While it may be true that such regulations reduce to some degree the demand for ivory products, the scarcity caused by the restrictions can lead to higher prices for the fewer ivory products that do manage to enter the marketplace (legally or otherwise).


Here are my three IV207s. Their value (what I paid for them) covers a pretty wide range from $100 to $300.

I also have a 1985 Case Ivory Mini Trapper. I bought it from a dealer who knew what he had, and I knew what I was buying. I paid $125 for it in 2014. Mine has no scrimshaw.