Case 6249 CV w/ whale hunting engraved handle

[Bryan-921]

I have a Case 6249 CV pocket knife with a bone handle. It has 893 stamp on the outside end of the handle. The handle has an engraving of a whale which looks to have a spear in the back. Also a ship and small boat with with four hunters in it. Can anybody tell me what exactly I have? I Can't find nothing a out the engraving. Thanks

[QTCut5]

Looks like you have a Case Copperhead (6249), smooth white bone with laser-etched / faux scrimshaw of a whaling scene; at least one of them is referred to as " A Nantuckett Sleighride."
The tang stamp on yours has two dots under a longtail "C" which would suggest 1998, but the "S" is the rounded version not the lightning strike version that was used beginning in the 1980's, so someone else will have to explain what that's all about. Here's a useful link for dating Case knives by tang stamp (or you can use the "Research" tab at the top of the AAPK page and then find the link for "Dating Case Knives."

http://www.wrcase.com/case_college/tang_stamps/

The 893 stamp on the bolster is most likely a serial number. Case used at least four different whaling scenes that I am aware of--here are three of them, also on Clip Point Copperheads. One interesting detail that baffles me...if you follow the line attached to the harpoon that is stuck in the whale (middle knife in group shot and the first close-up), it appears to go behind the tall ship in the background. Very strange.

If you want to get more like this one, but in better condition, all three of mine will soon be for sale on CuttingEdge.com (AG Russell's online consignment shop).

~Q~

[treefarmer]

The long tailed "C" with the regular or old style "S" indicates a CV blade according to Mr. Pfeiffer on page 23 of his book. The only reason I remembered this, I had run across a knife with same stamp issue and knifeaholic came to my rescue! Bryan's knife appears to be CV rather than SS.
By the way Bryan-921!
Treefarmer

[QTCut5]

Oh, that's good to know.

By the way...I have seen these exact same whaling scenes copied on counterfeit knives from China. It looks almost as if they made a photocopy of a real Case knife and then tried to reproduce it somehow on a cheap, synthetic-handled knockoff. To anyone who is familar with original Case quality, the differences are pretty obvious, but to anyone just starting a Case collection or looking to collect a genuine Case whaling scene knife, beware of the counterfeits...they're definitely out there. One tell-tale sign is the tang stamp...the counterfeits are often sloppy, blurry and sometimes even use the wrong style lettering and/or dot dating system. Before you buy, make sure you know what you're paying for.

~Q~

[Bryan-921]

Thanks for all the good info everybody. Appreciated!