Help Identify This Knife?

Webster Marble formed Gladstone Mfg. Co. in 1892. That company created the first folding Axe in 1893 which lead to the incorporation of Marble's Safety Axe Co. in 1898. The company became Marble Arms & Mfg. Co. in 1911 & enjoyed years of success until succumbing to a shut down of production in 1974. The brand was brought back to life in 1994 & enjoyed a grand rejuvenation that later gave way to another shutdown in 2009. Many great knives & tools were crafted over the company's storied history.
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Lotus Eater
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Help Identify This Knife?

Post by Lotus Eater »

Hey everyone! I'm not a stranger to knives, but far from an expert and I came across an estate sale find that I could use help identifying. Let me know if there are any details I missed :D

Total length 8.75" (4.5" blade)
Stag handles, brass crossguard and six brass pins
No USA stamp

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
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marbles1.jpg
marbles2.jpg
marbles3.jpg
marbles4.jpg
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1967redrider
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Re: Help Identify This Knife?

Post by 1967redrider »

::welcome:: to AAPK! Off the top of my head, absent of a Gladstone MI USA stamp, I'd say it is a Chinese made knife. Sometimes the "China" stamp was inked and easily removed. Hope this helps!

Was there a sheath too?

John
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
Lotus Eater
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Re: Help Identify This Knife?

Post by Lotus Eater »

Thanks John!

It didn't come with an original sheath, but a well-fitting leather VanHorn. I can provide pictures of that if you think it would help. I thought it was unusual that the knife had six pins in it--was this typical of Chinese models?

-Drew
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Madmarco
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Re: Help Identify This Knife?

Post by Madmarco »

Lotus Eater wrote: Sat Apr 03, 2021 4:18 pm Hey everyone! I'm not a stranger to knives, but far from an expert and I came across an estate sale find that I could use help identifying. Let me know if there are any details I missed :D

Total length 8.75" (4.5" blade)
Stag handles, brass crossguard and six brass pins
No USA stamp

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!
I can't help with the identification of your Marbles bowie Drew, but ::welcome:: to AAPK! ::handshake:: It sure looks like a nice knife! 8)
8)
kootenay joe
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Re: Help Identify This Knife?

Post by kootenay joe »

Some of the 'later' Marbles fixed blades were made in Gladstone MI. and some were made in China. I wonder if they also imported blades from China and then put handles on in Gladstone ? If this did happen the blades would not be marked "U.S.A."
kj
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1967redrider
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Re: Help Identify This Knife?

Post by 1967redrider »

Lotus Eater wrote: Sat Apr 03, 2021 6:16 pm Thanks John!

It didn't come with an original sheath, but a well-fitting leather VanHorn. I can provide pictures of that if you think it would help. I thought it was unusual that the knife had six pins in it--was this typical of Chinese models?

-Drew

I might be able to give you some further info when I get home tomorrow evening.
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
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Re: Help Identify This Knife?

Post by Lotus Eater »

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! Here's some more photos including the VanHorn sheath.
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marbles5.jpg
marbles6.jpg
marbles7.jpg
marbles8.jpg
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edge213
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Re: Help Identify This Knife?

Post by edge213 »

Lotus Eater wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 2:39 pm Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! Here's some more photos including the VanHorn sheath.
I can't help with the knife, but that is a great looking sheath.
David
"Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife" Meat Loaf
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1967redrider
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Re: Help Identify This Knife?

Post by 1967redrider »

Here's what I was looking for, 2001-2005 stamping. From Dunathan's The Encyclopedia of Marble's Knives & Sporting Collectibles.
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Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
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Re: Help Identify This Knife?

Post by kootenay joe »

Does the book say the knife with no "U.S.A." on it has a blade imported from China ?
kj
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Re: Help Identify This Knife?

Post by stagman »

The blade is a Marble's USA Plainsman pattern blade...
that stamp was used 2002-2005...some were bought from a company in Washington state,
some from Queen and assembled in Gladstone...but
they never used 6 pins on this pattern knife,, several with the Stag handle like this one had no pins,
Example : like the 2006 Marble's Plus Knife Club knife...
smooth bone 4 pin knives like this were labeled Cowboy knife..
I think the guard seems also thin & short, I would bet someone
put this knife together..they do still make this knife in china, also 4 pins
but the stamp on yours is a USA made blade

Stag
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1967redrider
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Re: Help Identify This Knife?

Post by 1967redrider »

Thanks, Stag, I knew you would have a definitive answer. ::tu::
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

You're going to look awfully silly with that knife sticking out of your @#$. -Clint Eastwood, High Plains Drifter
Lotus Eater
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Re: Help Identify This Knife?

Post by Lotus Eater »

stagman wrote: Mon Apr 05, 2021 3:26 pm The blade is a Marble's USA Plainsman pattern blade...
that stamp was used 2002-2005...some were bought from a company in Washington state,
some from Queen and assembled in Gladstone...but
they never used 6 pins on this pattern knife,, several with the Stag handle like this one had no pins,
Example : like the 2006 Marble's Plus Knife Club knife...
smooth bone 4 pin knives like this were labeled Cowboy knife..
I think the guard seems also thin & short, I would bet someone
put this knife together..they do still make this knife in china, also 4 pins
but the stamp on yours is a USA made blade

Stag
Woah...thanks for the deep dive! I really appreciate the detailed info.
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