Is my Bullet R1173 Antique?

[TheGoldStandard]

I recently purchased a couple of cigar boxes of vintage - antique pocket knives. Many Case from the 1930-50's. Plus some smaller Remington MOP. Along with the lot I immediately saw the bullet knife. It looks like a genuine 1930's era knife, but with so many anniversary editions I wanted to ask some experts. Please let me know what you think and what value it may have. I found another that sold on ebay back in November, the bolster on mine is ribbed / reeded not smooth. Should I try cleaning it and how just to get the grim off the blades. Any information would be helpful.
Mark

[Mumbleypeg]

Welcome to AAPK. I’m not a Remington expert but I believe the knife pictured is an old Remington, not a reproduction. The reproductions have stainless steel blades and Delrin handle covers. Your knife clearly has carbon steel blades and bone covers. The exception to that is the “Silver Bullet” reproductions which have bone covers - however the shield on those reproductions is genuine sterling silver and stamped as such (the pictured knife has a plain unmarked bullet shield). I’m sure a Remington expert will confirm or correct me. Not sure about the ribbed bolster - maybe a modification by a previous owner, but I don’t recall seeing one like that, either old or reproduction.

You’re the most recent in a long line of first-time posters to inquire about cleaning a knife. Here’s a link to some answers for that https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... 37&t=54157. The “grime” on the blades appears to be iron oxide, which can be easily removed without damaging the blade by using the graphite (lead) end of a pencil. How to do that and more tips will be found in the above link.

Last but not least here’s some advice about knife values https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... =2&t=77592

Ken

[1967redrider]

Yes it is! Interesting dimples on the bolster tips.

to AAPK!

[TheGoldStandard]

Ken & Redrider,
Thanks so much for the information. It is really helpful. The bolsters are very interesting. Maybe someone else knows about this sort of variation.
Thanks again
Mark

[peanut740]

Someone added the grooves in the bolsters after it left the factory.Old honest original 1173 other than that.A very desirable pattern,but it is a little rough.

[Charlieoscar]

I am referencing Mel Brewster’s “Remington Bullet Knives” published in 1991. The picture of it does not show the dimpling of the bolster. Mel’s comments are: “This one is called the BABY BULLET and for good reason. It is the smaller version of the R1123. It is a much harder to find model and I’ve seen only three truly mint ones in the many years I’ve known of these knives. It is the smallest of any of the original Bullets.”
In 1990 he said the current value, in Mint was $1750 to $2000.
As we know, condition is everything. If the dimpling is not factory, this would diminish the value.
This is my personal view - if the markings are readable I would not clean the knife.

Thanks, Mark, for posting this with all the different views.

Dan

[ldnolan]

I am thinking this is a good example of a reproduction.