Case & Sons Bradford PA (no "W.R.") 8347? Opinions Please

[herbva]

I just snagged this old guy off the bay for a very reasonable price and am planning to clean it up and put on new scales. But, I have a bunch of other projects in line first and want to learn a bit more about this knife before I start on it. It measures 3 7/8, so I assume it is a 47. First, the tang stamp puzzles me. All 3 blades have the same stamp - "Case & Sons Bradford PA", with no "W.R." (One of the blades does have "Case & Son", but I think the second "s" in "Sons" got nipped off during a battle with a grinder.) I don't see this tang stamp in any of my reference books. So, is there something I might want to know about this stamp? Perhaps it's one of the rare Case family permutations? Second, the MOP scales are nice and fiery, but obviously missing large chunks. I've never seen MOP on a pattern 47 and am wondering if it was original to the knife or put on later? I am planning to go with jigged green bone, but would like to hear any and all opinions first. Thanks!

[Steve Warden]

Cool!
My opinion - go with an amber stag bone...think Queen.

[1967redrider]

Great old knife, Herb, thanks for posting it. Too bad pearl can't be fixed, that would be a Sunday Go To Meeting knife. But any thoughts on old Winterbottom bone or stag?

[Mumbleypeg]

Oh but pearl can be fixed. At least replaced anyway, by someone who knows how and has the tools to work it. In my mind, at least for the most part pearl is pearl. Within the past couple of years I’ve sent an old W.R. CASE SONS with broken pearl to Case repair and had the pearl replaced. They did a superb job, and for a reasonable price. And I sent an old Rather & Co with broken pearl to Bill DeShivs who did an outstanding job, including matching the pearl on the good side.

This may or may not be something you’re interested in but if you want to send it to Case, PM me. If you want Bill to work on it you can contact him through AAPK or the email on his profile.

The CASE & SONS stamp was used only a few years, so it’s difficult to find examples. I wouldn’t be at all surprised that the knife came with MOP covers originally. I hate to see a fine old Case example like that altered with other than the original handle cover material. JMO

Ken

[herbva]

Thanks Ken, you have inspired me. I think I will try to repair it. Not sure if this will work, but I found some"pearl" pigment powder that might work with my epoxy patching technique. It will probably be a month or so before I can try it.

FYI, my bad - I forgot to look in Goins. I see the "Case & Sons, Bradford PA." (without the "W.R.") 1905-1914 tang stamp on page 50 plain as day.

[Mumbleypeg]

Page 74, Sargent’s Premium Guide to Knives & Razors 7th Edition.

Sargent’s says the CASE & SONS stamp was used 1903-1905. The previous stamp, W.R. CASE & SON Bradford PA was used 1902-1903. W.R. Case was Russell Case’s father (who provided the finances for his son Russell’s cutlery venture. Russell of course was the “& SON”, founder and President of the company. Then Russell’s sister Debbie married Harvey Platts making him W.R.’s son-in-law, and Russ’s BIL. The name was changed TO W.R. Case & Son’s Cutlery Company and the stamp became CASE & SONS Bradford PA.

Ken

[1967redrider]

Ken, do you think Case would put pearl on this? It's the only broken pearl knife I have.

[KleenCut61]

Looks Like a Pretty Special Stockman To Me , I think You Might Work Your Magic on a spit shine and send it off for repair , Then Let me Buy -It K.C.

[Mumbleypeg]

Ken, do you think Case would put pearl on this? It's the only broken pearl knife I have.

Yes I do. For the most part the knives they can’t repair are those needing parts they no longer make. That would mostly be blades, springs and other metal parts, but not handle materials. I’m speaking “out of school” of course because I’m not a Case representative, so you should ask them to get a definitive answer.

The old pearl they re-handled for me is a pattern that they last produced during the Tested era. The pearl was partially missing on one side and cracked on the other. I called Case repair and explained what I had and that I only wanted the pearl handles replaced and would gladly pay for it if reasonable. They said they have a couple of cutlers who really like working on the old ones but couldn’t make any promises without seeing the knife. I sent it, they repaired it, it’s beautiful. (They said it might take up to six weeks. I said I’m in no hurry, it’s been busted for years. ). It took about a month from the time I shipped it until I got it back.

Ken

[1967redrider]

Ken, do you think Case would put pearl on this? It's the only broken pearl knife I have.

Yes I do. For the most part the knives they can’t repair are those needing parts they no longer make. That would mostly be blades, springs and other metal parts, but not handle materials. I’m speaking “out of school” of course because I’m not a Case representative, so you should ask them to get a definitive answer.

The old pearl they re-handled for me is a pattern that they last produced during the Tested era. The pearl was partially missing on one side and cracked on the other. I called Case repair and explained what I had and that I only wanted the pearl handles replaced and would gladly pay for it if reasonable. They said they have a couple of cutlers who really like working on the old ones but couldn’t make any promises without seeing the knife. I sent it, they repaired it, it’s beautiful. (They said it might take up to six weeks. I said I’m in no hurry, it’s been busted for years. ). It took about a month from the time I shipped it until I got it back.

Ken

Thanks, Ken. I'm game to give it the old college try.

[Mumbleypeg]

Thanks, Ken. I'm game to give it the old college try.

Check your PMs.

Ken

[1967redrider]

Thanks, Ken. I'm game to give it the old college try.

Check your PMs.

Ken

Got it, Ken! Thank you very much.