All About Pocket Knives

Greetings from Georgia, USA!

I have this antique pocket knife, it appears to have pearl handle grips. This pocket knife belonged to my great great grandfather, who died in 1963. It sat in a shadow box at my grandparents, until it was handed down to me. The only marking on the blade isn’t legible. Can anyone here give me an idea of how old this little knife could be? My grandmother says she remembers it in the 1940s. I know the pictures might not be the best, but they’re attached below.

Thanks so much!

Cool!
Sorry, I can't help with any info, but welcome to AAPK!
Someone smarter than I should be along soon.
What will certainly help would be a clear closeup of any stamping on the tang.

Thank you! When I get back home I’ll try to get a better picture of that!

The only thing I can tell you from the pictures is the handles appear to be celluloid

It might be an Imperial, 40's or 50's would be about right. He really used that blade up, must have been a favorite!

Eric

The only marking might simply be a patent number. These little knives were sold off of counter-top display cards in retail stores.

Cannot help with dates, but possibly back to the 30’s and into the 50’s.

Imperial or Colonial were the makers as I recall.

And yes, the handles are celluloid covered sheet metal.

They were always inexpensive, but if I had one like it from one of my grandfathers or before, it would be priceless.

Charlie Noyes

Very nice keepsake, Alexander. Wow...to have something like that from my great, great grandfather...what a story it could tell.

Hope you hang around, kick up your feet and enjoy the company. There are no specific parameters that need to be met here, so let your hair down as far as you desire. Lots of things to do here and lots of people to guide you along.

Edit: Well, there are rules and guidelines to follow.

As the caretaker of this knife that has such extreme sentimental value. you should research celluloid, and keep a sharp eye out for any deterioration.

Welcome to AAPK!!!
It looks very much like an Imperial knife, and the shell-handled design means that it is from the 1930's or newer.
While these have pretty much no collector value in that condition, I know that it should and does have tremendous sentimental value! And it looks like your great great grandfather treasured it and used that knife regularly.
As to the advice on Celluloid, normally it is unstable and apt to damage old knives, but the thin celluloid wrap on these old Imperial knives is as stable as celluloid can be. I have not heard of any outgassing.
That said, if it were mine I would take care of it, maybe put it in my pocket on an occasional Sunday (just for the nostalgic feel of it), and would be prepared to pass it along to my children someday.
Thank you for sharing!!!