Old Case Knife Identification

[Branden3006]

Hello, a friend of mine asked me to post this knife. He is just wanting some general information on it. I believe he paid $180 for it. If you look closely with a magnifying glass you can see Bradford PA stamped. Were just wondering what the knife is called, what year it is, handle material, and value etc. Thanks in advance for any information!!

[knifegnome]

I am not a Case expert , the complete tang is not readable to me so hard to be specific ,the Bradford stamp was used up to the early 1920's.The single blade ,no bottom bolster is sometimes referred to as a boys knife.The handles are candystripe celluloid.Value ?.I do have a question and don't want to sound rude,I am curious why someone would pay $180 for a knife and not know the questions you are asking.

[rea1eye]

?.I do have a question and don't want to sound rude,I am curious why someone would pay $180 for a knife and not know the questions you are asking.

My exact thoughts when I read that too!

Bob

[Mumbleypeg]

Possibly a 6202 pattern. What is the closed length of the knife? From what I can see of it there are a couple of possible stamp variations that might fit. Either way the knife has some obvious condition issues, in my opinion your friend way overpaid for it.

Ken

[Branden3006]

Possibly a 6202 pattern. What is the closed length of the knife? From what I can see of it there are a couple of possible stamp variations that might fit.

Ken

He said 3 1/4 to 3 5/16

[Branden3006]

I am not a Case expert , the complete tang is not readable to me so hard to be specific ,the Bradford stamp was used up to the early 1920's.The single blade ,no bottom bolster is sometimes referred to as a boys knife.The handles are candystripe celluloid.Value ?.I do have a question and don't want to sound rude,I am curious why someone would pay $180 for a knife and not know the questions you are asking.

The guy isn’t hurting for money and it caught his eye, just the way he is.

[Mumbleypeg]

Possibly a 6202 pattern. What is the closed length of the knife? From what I can see of it there are a couple of possible stamp variations that might fit.

Ken

He said 3 1/4 to 3 5/16

That would be right for a 6202. The 6202 is a barehead (no cap bolster) jack, commonly made from the earliest days of Case. Knife is probably in excess of 100 years old. In that condition maybe worth about $50-$80. JMO. (That’s not an offer!)

Ken

[1967redrider]

I've never seen Candy Strip cell so dark, interesting.

[Branden3006]

40 some people bid on the knife at auction i guess and it went for $180

[Mumbleypeg]

IMHO $180 is about what it's worth if in mint condition. Strange things can sometimes happen at auctions.

Ken

[Branden3006]

Thanks for the info everyone, was hoping for some more dramatic news but nonetheless it’s pretty cool for being over 100 years old. If you zoom in on the one pic you can see
BRADFORDPA.

[Mumbleypeg]

Your friend should not despair. What counts is that he likes the knife. Very few of us collect knives as an investment and those that do rarely get rich!

Ken

[Branden3006]

Your friend should not despair. What counts is that he likes the knife. Very few of us collect knives as an investment and those that do rarely get rich!

Ken

Your right about that, he’s by no means into them for the money. He just likes the knife, it’s his style of knife, fits him perfectly. It’s pretty cool how each of us have our own styles that we collect!!

[rugmar]

Just the history of that one would lure me into slipping it in my pocket. The value vs how much was paid is a non-issue if your friend is happy. I know for sure that I have overpaid on more than one occasion. It just happens sometime.

Something about an old knife in the hand. Just the feel of it and the thoughts of what it's been through and who all it may have served. I think that's basically the mystic of collecting them. Someone loved that one or else it probably would not have survived.