Questions about Case Brothers knife

[sunknife]

This one just arrived yesterday. I have little knowledge of Case knives and hoping someone would be kind enough to date this 6383 whittler for me. There is etching on the secondary clip blade that I couldn't capture on camera very well that reads - '1st Run' inside a C with xx underneath. Bone color is sort of salmon, as best I would describe it. Has some scuffs on the main clip blade from rubbing but other than that is in excellent shape with good hard snap to the blades.

[Railsplitter]

According to the information in this link on the 83 pattern, it's probably a 1999 since it's a "First Run" model.
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/co ... -76-90/#83

[sunknife]

Thanks for providing that link for me Railsplitter, appreciate it.

[Mumbleypeg]

In recent years starting around 1999 or thereabouts Case made what they called the "Family Brands" series, which included Case Brothers among others. Those I have seen had the usual Case dating system of dots and/or X's. If your knife is from 1999 there's probably a single dot on the mark side tang under the Case Bros. stamp. May be hidden by the bolster though. That's my guess - could be wrong.

Those made more recently would be easier to date because starting in 2000 there were five X's plus five dots so easier to see. Thereafter they removed an X each year until all the X's were gone, then removed a dot each year. See example below - not my knife.

Ken

[sunknife]

Thanks for the additional intel Mumblypeg, being pretty new to collecting I appreciate the sharing of info provided here. Looked for the dot under magnification and it must be under the bolster. Now I know the knife is still a teenager which means I'll have to keep an eye on it for bad behavior.

[sextonknifeworks]

These Case Brothers knives were released in 2003 but the first run could predate it to 2002. These knives were not date stamped. I looked on the tin of a penut I had for the actual born on date.

The first run indicates that this knife was one of the first 500 off of the line. Each handle variation could would have its own first run. While the pattern (83) was not re-introduced until 1999 this handle/Case Bros stamp did not come out until later.

You would find similar first run markings on patterns like the trapper and Case has not stopped making them since inception.

The handle material is called chestnut bone with regular jig.

[sextonknifeworks]

I think they also made these in antique bone and stag. Here are some I have from 2003 and 2004:

[Mumbleypeg]

So, the earlier (2003 or thereabouts) were not date stamped. But at some point they were date stamped, making me curious when date stamping started? Also it seems the early ones had the "badge" shaped shield, but the later ones didn't?

Ken

[sunknife]

Thanks SKW.... man you guys are sleuths with a lot of knife knowledge. Those that you posted in the pics certainly are the same as this one of mine.
I haven't been around collecting very long but to me the badge shield doesn't seem to common on Case knives. Can't say I ever noticed one before I found this knife.

[sextonknifeworks]

The first date stamping on these I remember may have been the 5 dot 2005's but I am not 100% sure, I do remember them not being date stamped when they came out though.

Yes, they all started with the badge shield. I had also forgot but they made these Case Brothers in mother of pearl as well.

This is really what started the Case manufactured family brands stuff. C Platts, William Russell, Standard, Kinfolks, Cattaraugus and others would soon follow.

There had been some family brand stuff made, mostly in Germany but these Case Brothers were the first big "hit" by Case in the family line.

[gsmith7158]

Here are those Case Bros. Tang stamps from 2003 on.