Commander
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Commander
Here is a 3 3/8" 2 blade swell end jack that is marked "Commander" on the master tang. I think the handles are a man made substance, possibly celluloid ?
Who made Commander knives and were they a premium knife or an entry level line ? This is the only knife with this marking i have seen.
kj
Who made Commander knives and were they a premium knife or an entry level line ? This is the only knife with this marking i have seen.
kj
- Mumbleypeg
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Re: Commander
Goins' says "COMMANDER c 1891-1928 A trademark used by M. Klaas"
He also shows a stamping "COMMANDER LITTLE VALLEY, N.Y. c 1891-1928 A trademark used by M. Klaas. The knife seen was probably made by Cattaraugus Cutlery for Klaas"
If you look up "M. Klaas" it says "Max Klaas was an importer, in New York City."
Ken
He also shows a stamping "COMMANDER LITTLE VALLEY, N.Y. c 1891-1928 A trademark used by M. Klaas. The knife seen was probably made by Cattaraugus Cutlery for Klaas"
If you look up "M. Klaas" it says "Max Klaas was an importer, in New York City."
Ken
Member AKTI, TSRA, NRA.
If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
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If your religion requires that you hate someone, you need a new religion.
When the people fear their government, that is tyranny. When government fears the people, that is freedom.
https://www.akti.org/
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Re: Commander
Thanks Ken. This looks like a USA knife, not German and i doubt it was imported. The Cattaraugus mention might apply to this knife. Did Catt. make this pattern ? However the knife does not have "LITTLE VALLEY, N.Y.".
kj
kj
Re: Commander
I think Max Klass was one of the Kissing Crane Klass's so It could be made by Kissing Crane.
Bruce
Bruce
Re: Commander
It looks like either an Imperial or a Colonial. I have a single example with jigged black handles and I put it to bed with my Colonials. The shield and oddly clipped off master spear indicates either Imperial or Colonial to me. Both Colonial and Imperial made quality knives in the '20's and '30's.
JMO
JMO
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Re: Commander
thank you ms. "Commander" would have been a contract knife not a house brand, correct. There seem to be very few around.
kj
kj
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Re: Commander
I agree...Imperial. 1920's era. I have seen a number of COMMANDER stamped knives over the years and each one appeared based on tooling and handle material to have been made by Imperial when they made their quality solid-bolster knives. Many have had jigged black composition handles.msteele6 wrote:It looks like either an Imperial or a Colonial. I have a single example with jigged black handles and I put it to bed with my Colonials. The shield and oddly clipped off master spear indicates either Imperial or Colonial to me. Both Colonial and Imperial made quality knives in the '20's and '30's.
JMO
I know that Goins says Little Valley. May be true, but I have never seen one that was actually stamped Little Valley.
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
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Re: Commander
O.K., now we know the maker. But who were they made for ? and where were they sold ? or were they corporate gifts to be given to clients ?
Likely to have been a short lived venture because it is rare to see a "Commander" knife.
kj
Likely to have been a short lived venture because it is rare to see a "Commander" knife.
kj
- Miller Bro's
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Re: Commander
I bought this from "Paul" a collector in Florida and formerly was active in AAPK. Perhaps Paul got the knife from you ?
kj
kj