All About Pocket Knives

I'm trying to figure out when it was made. I just got it. The master blade is lightly etched across front HAND CRAFTED WHITTLER. It is front tang stamped with two cranes and ROBT. KLAAS / SOLINGEN below. The number 2738XV is stamped on back. Small pen blade also has two cranes with SOLINGEN GERMANY below. The small clip blade just has the two cranes. 3.5" closed. Does anyone know how the tang stamps have changed and the years that went with the changes.

Thanks for any help Marvin

I searched this archive and found this comment by jands40:

I have a great old stag stockman from the 70's. It has the badge type shield with 2 RED cranes, so that is no determination of age. Robt. Klaas Solingen in a straight line on the tang is an older mark. I have seen some of the newer "China" Cranes and believe the tang mark is arched. Also, on the pre 80's ones you should see a number on back of the tang that is a combination of arabic and roman numerals. Mine has 1235xvii.

Marvin, I can't help much, but I wanted to welcome you to AAPK.

About all I can say about the "Stork" knives (that's what the old-timers, down at the courthouse used to call 'em)... the red enameled birds on the shield indicate a newer (post 70's) knife.

There'll be someone along soon, with info on the tang stamps. I sure miss my Goins !

Darn good whittlin' knife, I might add. Stick around, somebody'll tell you the straight stuff.

JR

Based on the information from the user jands40, your knife's tang mark, with the number "2738XV" stamped on the back, could be an indicator of an older knife. Additionally, the presence of the two cranes in the tang stamp and the design changes (such as the shape of the shield) might suggest different production periods or design iterations.

To gain a more accurate understanding of the knife's production date and any changes in tang stamps over the years, you might consider consulting knife collector forums, expert resources, or vintage Boker catalogs. Collectors and enthusiasts in these communities often have extensive knowledge about historical knife production and can help you narrow down the possible manufacturing timeframe for your Boker knife. Bitlife

Here's an explanation from Houston Price's "Guide". Looks like your number denotes 1976. Good luck with it. J.O'.