All About Pocket Knives

I generally collect watches but occasionally pick up an interesting pocket knife. Recently, I found this Case and Sons Bradford, PA pocket and would like to know a little more about it. I think it dates between 1905-1911 but I'm not certain and has a jigged bone handle. I've seen a Remington cattlemans knife that is similar to this one but has a third blade. I've searched around the internet for a few days but there seems to be little information available on the early case knives so any info is appreciated. Thanks
collin

welcome collin. great knife. can you post a pic of the tang marks? what is closed length?

The knife measures 3 3/4 inches closed. Most I've read about are 3 1/2 inches. The tang is not marked WR Case and Sons so is this tang mark a transition between the WR mark and the cicle C mark? I understand that Case underwent a financial restructuring during the early 1900's and I assume that this mark may have been used during that period.

stamp used 1905-1914 - gerald witcher's book
stamp used 1903-1904 - jim sargent's 6th

one of our case experts is needed.

Thank you jonet143. It's a good start.

Goins lists this stamp as 1905-1914 with a footnote that says"The letters are pushed together,with no space between words" That would appear to be what you have. Its a nice knife, a keeper. Mikek

Thanks Mikek for the date. The swage on the pen blade is beveled on one side for the length of blade, but not the other side. Is this common for pen blades of that era? Thanks

I can not answer that but Iam sure someone here can. Mikek

jonet143 wrote:stamp used 1905-1914 - gerald witcher's book
stamp used 1903-1904 - jim sargent's 6th

one of our case experts is needed.

Well, I have never claimed to be an expert, but It is well documented that WR case moved to Bradford Pa. in 1905. Case & Sons stamps have the "Bradford Pa." designation, coupled with the fact that there is also documentation that WR Case was still in Little Valley N.Y. in 1903-1904. Therefore 1905-1914 is the correct date. Also, all Sargent's books prior to the sixth say 1905-1914.
Gary

collin wrote:Thanks Mikek for the date. The swage on the pen blade is beveled on one side for the length of blade, but not the other side. Is this common for pen blades of that era? Thanks

I believe that is common. Made that way to ease sharpening of the quill pen for writing. Hence the name-pen blade.

Dave

Thanks Gary and Dave and all. Today I learned something. Makes good sense to bevel the pen blade provided the user is right handed- of course I'm not.

One more thought on the "Case & Sons" marking....A couple of years back while I was researching for the "Yesterday's Case Knife" article for Knife World I did a Trademark search for "Case & Sons". The results said first use in commerce was in 1911, which just happened to be the same year that Harvey Platts left WR Case & Sons. I have often wondered if the shortened version of the stamp had anything to do with Platts' departure.
Gary

No one addressed your question about the length, probably because it is so easy, but 3 3/4" is a common size for these Case regular jacks. The 6231 pattern is one of the more common Case patterns and this one looks very much like an older 6231.

Thanks to all for the help. As a collector, I am trouble by my new found interest in pocket knives. I own about 300 watches and I'll be darn if these knives are not proving equally as interesting. Thanks again

Welcome to the site and hobby, what an awesome knife to start off with. I just did the opposite and got interested in watches after finding an 1879 Hampton with a coin silver case last weekend. Both hobbies seem to have the same appeal with something of quality that someone carried everyday.

The Hamiltons are fine watches. Early American watches are some of the finest timepieces made. The pocket watches were so good that the swiss copied them hoping to get a piece of the market. What amazes me is that the Railroad Grade pocket watches were accurate to within 30 seconds every 2 weeks and most were far more accurate than that. I know that this is knife forum so a little linkage is in order. I'm growing interested in knive for the same reason I find watches fascinating- the craftsmanship. Thanks again for all the help.