Trappers

The KA-BAR brand originated as a trademark of the Tidioute Cutlery Company. Tidioute was later taken over & renamed the Union Cutlery Company which continued making the brand until Union eventually adopted it as the company name in 1952. Cutco Corporation later acquired the company in 1996.
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chorizotaco
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Trappers

Post by chorizotaco »

Good afternoon.

I have 4 Ka-bar stag trappers, 3 of which have the dogs head on them with a stamp Ka-bar USA. The other 1 has no dogs head and the stamp is Ka-bar 1195 USA. The nail pulls are different also as seen in the pic. Can anyone tell me why? Thank you.
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jerryd6818
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Re: Trappers

Post by jerryd6818 »

Made in different eras, probably under different ownership and contracted to different makers.

Here's some information I picked up somewhere along the way and squirreled it away.
"Kabar, USA was changed to in 1951

In the 70's a pattern number was added between the Kabar and the USA. (Equivalent in Case language: Case dots)"
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
knifeaholic
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Re: Trappers

Post by knifeaholic »

The one with the "dog's head" shield is a Camillus made contract knife from the 1990's. The other one is a Queen made contract knife - not sure of the exact time frame, but 80's to 90's.
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
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jerryd6818
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Re: Trappers

Post by jerryd6818 »

Thanks Steve. I see I have some bum information.
Forged on the anvil of discipline.
The Few. The Proud.
Jerry D.

This country has become more about sub-groups than about it's unity as a nation.

"The #72 pattern has got to be pretty close to the perfect knife."
--T.J. Murphy 2012
knifeaholic
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Re: Trappers

Post by knifeaholic »

jerryd6818 wrote:Thanks Steve. I see I have some bum information.
Your info is fundamentally correct, Jerry. Just that once the modern "collector era" began, there was no more rhyme or reason to tang stamps (true of most traditional knife companies).
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
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FRJ
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Re: Trappers

Post by FRJ »

knifeaholic wrote: Just that once the modern "collector era" began,
About what time did the "modern collector" era begin? Thanks.
Joe
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Re: Trappers

Post by knifeaholic »

FRJ wrote:
knifeaholic wrote: Just that once the modern "collector era" began,
About what time did the "modern collector" era begin? Thanks.
Joe; I would say 1970 was the beginning, accelerating in the 80's.
Steve Pfeiffer, author of Collecting Case Knives: Identification and Price Guide published by Krause Publications.
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FRJ
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Re: Trappers

Post by FRJ »

Thank you, Steve. ::handshake::
Joe
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chorizotaco
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Re: Trappers

Post by chorizotaco »

Thanks everyone. I knew they weren't old but I kinda thought 70s. Excellent information as usual.
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