Case M3102

[kootenay joe]

I have a very nice Case 2 3/4" 3 blade Sleeveboard Lobster knife with solid stainless handles and no liners. The master blade is marked "Case XX/Stainless" on front tang and "M3102" on the back side tang.
Using Steve Pfeiffer's book i think this knife dates 1950 to 1964. However he gives "M3102 R SS" as the pattern number markings. Mine has no "R SS" after the M3102.
What does "R" indicate on a Case knife ?
And is there any significance to the lack of "R SS" ?
Thanks for the help. I am a novice with Case knives.
kj

[msteele6]

The "R" in a Case pattern number frequently signifies a knife with a bail (ring?).

[kootenay joe]

Good to know. This knife has a bail (bale ?) but no "R" marking, which in part is why i am posting.
kj

[Mumbleypeg]

They did not typically stamp the “R” in the pattern number. It’s more just descriptive (catalog, or order forms) denoting the knife has a bail. Just one of the many intrigues of “Casedom”.

Ken

[kootenay joe]

Thanks Ken. I know "SS" is for stainless steel which this is as "Stainless" is on the front tang even though no "SS" after the pattern number.
Am i correct with the dates 1950-64 ?
It is a very well made, attractive knife with sharp blades. Most 'minty' Case knives of this age are quite valuable relative to most other brands, but does it include this pattern ? Or is it one not collected by most Case collectors ?
thanks for the help,
kj

[Mumbleypeg]

Some sources say the XX stamp was used from 1940-1964. I’m in the camp that says the XX was introduced post-WWII, around 1945. The 102 pattern was around long before that so unless they temporarily discontinued it and then re-introduced it in 1950 yours may be as early as 1945.

As for value, for whatever reasons the pattern doesn’t seem too popular with collectors. There’s a nice picture of one exactly like yours in Steve Pfeiffer’s second edition, mint condition, on which he has a value of $60. Based on recent eBay sold listings that’s generous in today’s market. Not a pattern I follow so others may have more info.

Ken

[knifeaholic]

Others have already provided the right info, but to reiterate and add:

The "R" means that the knife had a bail (ring).

SS for stainless steel blades.

Case frequently abbreviated the pattern number stamped on the back tang, leaving off some of the letters. The full pastern umber was always shown in the catalog and price list.

This pattern goes back to the CASE BRADFORD era, though the early ones may not have been stainless.

Discontinued in 1973. It was an expensive knife for Case to produce. The last retail price in 73 for the M3102 R SS was $14.00.

$14.00 seems like chump change today. but bear in mind that in 1973 the Case 6254 trapper retailed for $9.75 and the 6265 SAB DR folding hunter was $12.00.

Just this weekend I sold (ebay store) a 9 dot mint example of the M3102 R SS for $95.00, so there is some collector interest in the pattern.

[kootenay joe]

Thank you Steve.
Feel free to let the buyer know where he can get a mint older M3102 for the same price or less
kj