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Unfortunately the post is from 2011, the knife in question was a yellow Delrin-handled 3247 H (bird hook) pattern but the picture was photobucket and is no longer able to be viewed.Katie Shonts wrote:Hi,
Here's the history.....
In 1990 under ownership of James Parker, W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. changed the dot dating system to actual dates. In 1990 the year would be stamped into the blade.
19 USA 90.
This took place for items done in 1990, 1991, 1992, and part of 1993. In 1993 under new ownership, Zippo addressed the demands of our customers and collectors, and began the dot dating system again which seems to be most effective and legible in comparison to the actual year.
A side note is that in small patterns, it was often difficult to tell the difference between 0 and 2 and 2 and 3.
In 1994, through much influence again from our customers and collectors and their desire to find those missing dots, Case produced the Missing Dot Collection. This collection of knives would include four knives for each of the years featuring the new 1990's dot dating system.
Patterns included the Trapper ('54), Peanut ('20), Muskrat (MUSKRAT), and Canoe ('131), in each of the four sets. One set for each year; 16 knives in total. The items were: 1990 Ten Dot #01840; 1991 Nine Dot #01841; 1992 Eight Dot #01842; and 1993 Seven Dot #01843. 500 serialized sets were made for each missing year of dot dating.
Along come the need for new products for our 1995 catalog and the idea to make the bird hook in the yellow family seemed like a good move. In most circumstances we do not have the correct blade date for the knife. The correct pattern stamp is a rarity unless of course we are making a bone knife that we've already done in the past then it will fit in nicely.
We marked all products during this time with a PROTO cold stamp which means that it was stamped into the knife blade after it was heat treated.
This knife shows that it is dated from this time (1991) as it was the only '47 style clip blade that we had in our "bunks" warehouse to fit this pattern in 1994. Hence, you'll notice that this knife does not have a pattern stamp or the correct date stamp to its production. The blade that was used from one produced for the Missing Dot Collection most likely in 1994.
Another side note is that our 1995 catalog features a wide variety of blade date stamps.
These types of items are often caught today and we have a bit more control over the samples produced, but none-the-less, this knife is genuine. This also has a lot to do with why we make samples. We make them with scrap components to determine if we like it before proceeding with production.
As they say, every knife has a story.
That’s my understanding. Someone please correct if I’m wrong.In 1994, through much influence again from our customers and collectors and their desire to find those missing dots, Case produced the Missing Dot Collection. This collection of knives would include four knives for each of the years featuring the new 1990's dot dating system.
Patterns included the Trapper ('54), Peanut ('20), Muskrat (MUSKRAT), and Canoe ('131), in each of the four sets. One set for each year; 16 knives in total. The items were: 1990 Ten Dot #01840; 1991 Nine Dot #01841; 1992 Eight Dot #01842; and 1993 Seven Dot #01843. 500 serialized sets were made for each missing year of dot dating.
