Case 079 Pearl info and Help requested

[bhuber]

I have a couple of 079 vintage Cass pearl handled knives. I’m attempting to date them and how the blades are in the handle, I can’t tell on one how many dots are on the knife and if it’s a pre-1970 before the dating system. The other does have dots and I believer it to be a 10 dot, therefore 1970. Here are some pics. Any help would be appreciated. I’m considering purchasing a membership but want to be 100% sure what I have before I list them.

There is also a small cut out on the one I believe is a 10 dot for access to the small blade.

I have one that is exactly like the one pictured however no cut out for the small blade nail nick and I can not find any dots under the logo no matter what position I put the blade in, even using a high power magnifier and a bright light to do my best to see between the blade and bolster. Thanks in advance for any insight into these.

[Mumbleypeg]

Can’t tell you much from the pictures as they’re very poor quality and not positioned to show much of the detail you’re asking about. The knife that is partially open, it looks like I can see at least two dots. If you open the blade a little farther you should be able to count them. The knife appears to have a clip master blade which would make it an 82079-1/2 sleeveboard pen pattern. On many they just abbreviated the stamp to “079”.

As for the other knife, without the blades open there’s not much I can tell you. It does appear from the picture to have the nail nick cutout. I don’t know anything about any without the cutout for nail nick access, when or why some do not have it. Those I’ve seen, IIRC all have it.

Maybe someone who knows more will be able to help. If you’re planning to sell them I recommend you improve your photography.

Ken

[bhuber]

Can’t tell you much from the pictures as they’re very poor quality and not positioned to show much of the detail you’re asking about. The knife that is partially open, it looks like I can see at least two dots. If you open the blade a little farther you should be able to count them. The knife appears to have a clip master blade which would make it an 82079-1/2 sleeveboard pen pattern. On many they just abbreviated the stamp to “079”.

As for the other knife, without the blades open there’s not much I can tell you. It does appear from the picture to have the nail nick cutout. I don’t know anything about any without the cutout for nail nick access, when or why some do not have it. Those I’ve seen, IIRC all have it.

Maybe someone who knows more will be able to help. If you’re planning to sell them I recommend you improve your photography.

Ken

Thanks Ken,
Those were quick and dirty pics. I’ll take some better pictures as time allows. Thought I’ve not been here that long, I’be Been a knife collector, buyer and seller for over 25 years and understand the importance of quality pictures. First and foremost, I didn’t want to seem like I had a veiled sales post without paying for the right to do so, bad pictures are one way to curtail that from my past experience. I figured I could get the point across and the dot’s you see are the only one’s that can be made visible. My only other guess is that the other one I own is a pre 1970 model before they started the dot system but can’t be sure. I appreciate your reply.

Brian

[gsmith7158]

Judging by the position of the visible dots on the open knife I don't think that is a ten dot. Looks more like 5.

[bhuber]

Here are some (hopefully) better pics. That is the only position I can get any dots to show on the blade. Also, the other pic shows both, one without the nail nick cut out. In the second pic, there is no blade position at any point were there are any visible dots.

[Mumbleypeg]

I agree with Greg - based on the position of the visible dots on the one knife, it does not have ten dots.

Please measure the closed length of both knives and let us know what they are. From your picture (it may just be the angle) one appears larger than the other. I can see they’re both marked 079 - just trying to eliminate other possibilities. Also please photograph the tang stamps front and rear of the master on the knife that does not have the cut out, and post the photos.

You may need to send a pm to knifeaholic - he probably knows when/if Case changed the frame on the 079.

Ken

[bhuber]

I agree with Greg - based on the position of the visible dots on the one knife, it does not have ten dots.

Please measure the closed length of both knives and let us know what they are. From your picture (it may just be the angle) one appears larger than the other. I can see they’re both marked 079 - just trying to eliminate other possibilities. Also please photograph the tang stamps front and rear of the master on the knife that does not have the cut out, and post the photos.

You may need to send a pm to knifeaholic - he probably knows when/if Case changed the frame on the 079.

Ken

Here they are by a ruler. I’ve measured both and they’re exactly the same length blades on both are the same as well.
Next pic is the front and back of the one without the cut out. I agree on the dots, just wish I could see the rest of them and know if the other one has any at all, there is just no way to see down in there. Not a huge issue, they’re neat little knives!

[zp4ja]

Steve would maybe be able to narrow a timeframe based on nail nick cutout or not.

IMO, impossible to define an exact year without knife disassembly unless you can definitively see all the dots on any CASE pattern. Guesstimation based on dots in reference to the USA letters is just that, guessing and estimating.
I started this thread linked below that sadly had little member participation since this is not an uncommon question. Has some good info in it in my opinion and pictures.
The 79 pattern is among a handful of CASE patterns that have "hidden dots" as I affectionately call them.
I have some M279 knives, same issue. Will try to look at some of mine when/ if I have time.

viewtopic.php?f=66&t=41993&hilit=Hidden

Jerry

[bhuber]

Steve would maybe be able to narrow a timeframe based on nail nick cutout or not.

IMO, impossible to define an exact year without knife disassembly unless you can definitively see all the dots on any CASE pattern. Guesstimation based on dots in reference to the USA letters is just that, guessing and estimating.
I started this thread linked below that sadly had little member participation since this is not an uncommon question. Has some good info in it in my opinion and pictures.
The 79 pattern is among a handful of CASE patterns that have "hidden dots" as I affectionately call them.
I have some M279 knives, same issue. Will try to look at some of mine when/ if I have time.

viewtopic.php?f=66&t=41993&hilit=Hidden

Jerry

Thanks for the insight!