Pre 1920 Candy Striped Fish Tail Case Knife

[HDPryor]

I was hoping someone could help me identify a knife my father asked me to sell for him. He is older and he told me the knife is even older than him. I have been trying to find similar knives online to see its potential value but I am having trouble with matching it.

It has an etching of Case above Bradford, PA. I have identified this to indicate pre-1920. I have identified it as a candy stripe design (orange, yellow, and white). It has a fishtail bolster at one end and (what appears to be) a barlow type bolster at the other. The blade seems to be an early style of a California blade. It is extra long and has a long pull for opening. I cant find an etching of a model number.

I have been researching his knives to help him sell them and have had pretty good luck so far, but this one is eluding me.

Any help would be appreciated and maybe it could help someone else.

I havent quite figured out how to post a picture on here yet.

Thanks
Dave

[Mumbleypeg]

Case did not make many fish tail bolster patters. One they made is the 051 pattern, which has a single clip master blade. The version having candy stripe celluloid covers would be the R1051 pattern. One version has a “straight” barlow-style bolster on the end opposite the fishtail. Another was made having a “bow tie” finger guard bolster. Both should be 3-7/8 inches closed length.

Pictures of your knife would help in identification. It’s fairly easy. You can learn how to post pictures here viewforum.php?f=98 Scroll down to find the thread with instructions for your device.

Welcome to AAPK. Once you get the picture posting figured out we’d like to see more pictures of his collection.

Ken

[HDPryor]

Thanks for the help. I see how to add pictures now. Missed the attachments Tab.

I appreciate the information. Let me post the photo and you can tell me if it was what you expected.

[Mumbleypeg]

Thanks, looks like an honest old R1051 LP. As stated in my prior post, closed length should be 3-7/8 inches. Handle covers look good except for a little shrinkage, which I’d expect on a knife that old. Was red, yellow, and white when it was newer. Nice knife! BTW most collectors date that stamp as being used 1914-1919.

Ken

[HDPryor]

Thank you much for the information. Nice to know about the year. It still has a great snap. Opening and closing. Also, I dont think it has ever been sharpened.

Appreciated

[Ridgegrass]

That's a rare bird, indeed, J.O'.

[1967redrider]

Awesome knife, thanks for posting!

[HDPryor]

Would anyone be able to place a value on this? What it could be sold for?

[Mumbleypeg]

Would anyone be able to place a value on this? What it could be sold for?

I figured that question would come sooner or later. First I recommend you read this, so you’re aware of limitations on trying to put a value on a knife based on a few pictures. viewtopic.php?t=77592 The thread was made a “sticky” here for exactly that reason. Having said that, the knife is a rare pattern, which makes it difficult to find comparable sales from which to determine its value. Fact is you have shown no pictures of the complete knife with blade open, from all angles including the back, top down with blade both closed and open, etc.

Its primary drawback will be the celluloid covers. Celluloid is notoriously unstable material and some collectors will not buy it, or will limit how much they’re willing to spend on it. But some aren’t bothered by celluloid at all. The good news is it has survived over 100 years without self-destructing, but with celluloid that is no guarantee something will not set it off tomorrow.

If I was selling it on eBay I’d list it with a low starting bid, let it run for 10 days and let the bidders find its value. You might get some collectors who want it into a bidding war and get several hundred dollars for it. With crisp in-focus pictures, assuming near-mint condition and good working order it would not surprise me if it brings $500 or maybe even more. If you listed it for BIN at $500 or more it also would not surprise me if it got no offers.

If you want to sell it here on AAPK you need a premium subscription. You can learn about that by clicking on Support AAPK in the box on the upper right of this page.

Ken

[HDPryor]

Thanks for the information Ken. I appreciate it. The information provide by the link was helpful.

I have been listing some of his knives on ebay. I know very little about knives. Him and my grandfather used to drive all over the country to collect knives. I can remember walking aisles and aisles of flea markets and tons of garage sales with them while they looked for knives.

I have been trying to locate the same knife and what it sold for . Even better if I can find multiple sales. Then I list it for auction with a starting value slightly lower than what the knife has been going for and let the bidding decide what I get. Its been going pretty good so far. I do provide a lot more pictures and disclose anything I see that may be an issue with the knife.

I do appreciate your time and knowledge.

-Dave

[Dullest_knife]

That’s another older Case with the Long pull cutting into the Tang area- don’t know proper term.