Questionable Case 6265

[RalphAlsip]

The listing identifies this knife as a "CASE TESTED XX CATTLE KNIFE 1920-40 6345 1/2", which it is clearly not because it does not have 3 blades, it does not have a clip blade, and it is not a 45 pattern. Furthermore the knife itself is stamped as a 6265. The W.R. Case & Sons era 6265 pattern did resemble this knife. However, this knife is supposed to be a "Case Tested XX" era knife and the pattern 6265 in the Tested era is a large folding hunter pattern. At best this is a parts knife.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124268669713

[98src]

I think this is a legit knife, but I wonder about the seller. I sent two messages to him explaining about the disparity between his description and the pictures, but no answer. He has 0 feedback. This would be a knife from the early Tested XX era. It does not appear in Sargent's book, but when I had my large CASE TESTED XX collection, I had 3 or 4 patterns that were not in his book.

[just bob]

Is there more than one 65 pattern? The one I'm familiar with is way different from this,

[treefarmer]

Is there more than one 65 pattern? The one I'm familiar with is way different from this,

What just bob asked.
I have several 65 pattern Cases and they are all folding hunters.
Treefarmer

[RalphAlsip]

Is there more than one 65 pattern? The one I'm familiar with is way different from this,

Throughout the entire history of Case knives there is more than one pattern numbered 6265. Here is a picture from Sargent's 7th of the 6265 that is marked "W.R. Case & Sons". Not sure if any version of a 6265 was made when Case knives were marked "Case Bradford". For Case knives marked "Case Tested XX", pattern number 6265 is a large folding hunter. It is not unusual for Case to discontinue a pattern in one era and then later reuse the pattern number on a differently sized, shaped, and configured knife in a different era. It would be very surprising to me if Case would use the same pattern number in the same era for 2 completely different knives.

I collect the single blade 65 folding hunter and am providing a picture of a Case Tested XX 6165 for reference. I do not have a Case Tested XX 6265, but the size and shape of the 6165 and 6265 are the same, all that is different is the number of blades.

[treefarmer]

We learn something everyday on AAPK, now if I could just remember it.
Treefarmer

[RalphAlsip]

I think this is a legit knife, but I wonder about the seller. I sent two messages to him explaining about the disparity between his description and the pictures, but no answer. He has 0 feedback. This would be a knife from the early Tested XX era. It does not appear in Sargent's book, but when I had my large CASE TESTED XX collection, I had 3 or 4 patterns that were not in his book.

Assuming the length of the knife 3 1/4" then I think it very well could be a legit 6265. I don't like the front scale. The stamping on the blades looks legit to me - it is very weird that it is marked Case Tested XX when clearly the folding hunter 6265 was also made with a Case Tested XX mark.

Tagging you to see if you might have an opinion

[1967redrider]

I happened to be carrying a Tested era 2345 1/2 SSPEN today, the listing is way off.

[stockman]

Jerry I'm with you on the front scale. It was the first thing that I noticed.
Harold

[Mumbleypeg]

Sorry I didn’t see this sooner. Here’s another picture from Sargent’s 7th edition, page 235, bottom right corner. Says it’s a 6265 LP. I’m thinking it was from early in the Tested era, perhaps before they introduced a new 65 pattern as the large folding hunter we think of today. The fact it’s marked on both blades and has a pattern number adds to my belief it’s an early Tested knife.

I’m hoping that’s what the knife is. I bought it. I’m just a sucker for swell-center patterns. I’ll know more when I get it in hand.

Ken

[Modern Slip Joints]

[...] I collect the single blade 65 folding hunter and am providing a picture of a Case Tested XX 6165 for reference. I do not have a Case Tested XX 6265, but the size and shape of the 6165 and 6265 are the same, all that is different is the number of blades.

Did the Case Tested XX 6265 usually have a sabre ground master like post WW-II Case Tested XX 6265 usually do? For quite some time the routine for Folding Hunters has been that flat ground masters only go in single blade slip joints. I remember seeing older 6265s with flat ground masters but I assumed that their flat ground master was one of the reasons they were expensive.

[RalphAlsip]

Sorry I didn’t see this sooner. Here’s another picture from Sargent’s 7th edition, page 235, bottom right corner. Says it’s a 6265 LP. I’m thinking it was from early in the Tested era, perhaps before they introduced a new 65 pattern as the large folding hunter we think of today. The fact it’s marked on both blades and has a pattern number adds to my belief it’s an early Tested knife.

33E01F75-B22E-41D9-926B-7253DF89D280.jpeg

I’m hoping that’s what the knife is. I bought it. I’m just a sucker for swell-center patterns. I’ll know more when I get it in hand.

Ken

Knives like this one are one of the reasons collecting knives is interesting to me. If this one had been stamped W .R. Case & Sons I would not have created the post. In addition to the early Tested XX indicators you mentioned the diamond shield was used on pre-Tested knives. I’m looking forward to seeing your pictures and hearing your thoughts after can evaluate the knife in-person.

[RalphAlsip]

[...] I collect the single blade 65 folding hunter and am providing a picture of a Case Tested XX 6165 for reference. I do not have a Case Tested XX 6265, but the size and shape of the 6165 and 6265 are the same, all that is different is the number of blades.

Did the Case Tested XX 6265 usually have a sabre ground master like post WW-II Case Tested XX 6265 usually do? For quite some time the routine for Folding Hunters has been that flat ground masters only go in single blade slip joints. I remember seeing older 6265s with flat ground masters but I assumed that their flat ground master was one of the reasons they were expensive.

My observation of the Tested XX folding hunter 6265 is that it is common for the clip blade to be either flat ground or saber ground. It does seem like the examples that have the flat ground, high pull blade sell for more than the saber ground examples.

[btrwtr]

The only thing I see wrong with the knife is the pen blade appears to be slow since it is not fully opened at so close to 180 degrees with the back spring. Knife looks fine otherwise. Very early Tested knife. The description is goofy though.

[Mumbleypeg]

The only thing I see wrong with the knife is the pen blade appears to be slow since it is not fully opened at so close to 180 degrees with the back spring. Knife looks fine otherwise. Very early Tested knife. The description is goofy though.

Goofy for sure. Hoping I receive the knife pictured and not the one described. I saw the pen blade appearance - hoping it’s better than it looks.

Ken

[btrwtr]

The only thing I see wrong with the knife is the pen blade appears to be slow since it is not fully opened at so close to 180 degrees with the back spring. Knife looks fine otherwise. Very early Tested knife. The description is goofy though.

Goofy for sure. Hoping I receive the knife pictured and not the one described. I saw the pen blade appearance - hoping it’s better than it looks.

Ken

Could be just a drop of oil away from snapping. Might not have had any care in the last 95 years. Nice looking little knife!

[Mumbleypeg]

The only thing I see wrong with the knife is the pen blade appears to be slow since it is not fully opened at so close to 180 degrees with the back spring. Knife looks fine otherwise. Very early Tested knife. The description is goofy though.

Goofy for sure. Hoping I receive the knife pictured and not the one described. I saw the pen blade appearance - hoping it’s better than it looks.

Ken

Could be just a drop of oil away from snapping. Might not have had any care in the last 95 years. Nice looking little knife!

Hope that’s the case. Given the knife’s apparent condition I probably didn’t get any bargain.

Ken

[Mumbleypeg]

Goofy for sure. Hoping I receive the knife pictured and not the one described. I saw the pen blade appearance - hoping it’s better than it looks.

Ken

Could be just a drop of oil away from snapping. Might not have had any care in the last 95 years. Nice looking little knife!

Hope that’s the case. Given the knife’s apparent condition I probably didn’t get any bargain.

Ken

The knife arrived today. Surprised the pen had excellent walk-and-talk right out of the mailer. The master was a little slow but did close, but with no audible click. It was dirty - a little cleaning and a little Quick Release, and they’re both snapping now! I think you were right about not having any care in the last 95 years but whoever sharpened it in the past did a pretty good job. More pictures posted in the Case Collector’s subforum. viewtopic.php?f=66&t=43896&start=480#p838912

Ken

[btrwtr]

Glad you got such a fine old knife Ken. Buying on eBay is often a case for speculation and I think you came out a winner on this one.

[Mumbleypeg]

Thanks Wayne. From the seller’s pictures I was expecting best case would be a rare knife that was worn out or misused. Worst case I get the “cattle knife” in the seller’s description. But I got lucky - it’s far from mint but better than I expected, and given that it’s the only one I’ve ever seen aside from the one pictured in Sargent’s, I’m pleased to have custody of it for a while.

Ken