Page 1 of 1
Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:01 am
by Gone2Three
Evening folks, so I just acquired this old knife and was hoping that I might ask for help in identifying the maker and age of it.
The odd partial tang stamp and nice bone is what drew me to it. Thinking maybe military issue but can't figure out what is going on with the missing and or backwards lettering of U.S. ?
This is sellers pictures, knife is not in my hands as of yet.
Thank you all for any information you can provide,
Randy
Re: Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:05 am
by 1967redrider
Looks to me like there's something in front of the ".S.U."
Re: Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:11 am
by knife7knut
It looks to me like someone made a new blade for the knife;stamped it with individual letter stamps and installed it in the handle.If they didn't make a new blade,then they ground down another blade and re-stamped it.The nail nick looks like it has been monkeyed with as well. JMHO
Re: Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:33 am
by Gone2Three
Here's an expanded view, again pictures not the greatest...
but there might be another letter in front of the .S.U
And a better look at the nail nick, but I'm still new to this... so there's so much I still need to learn about what to look for
Thanks, and any more insight welcomed
Re: Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:18 am
by treefarmer
To support the thought of a different blade, notice the different finishes of the pins on both bolsters.
Treefarmer
Re: Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:57 am
by Gone2Three
treefarmer wrote: ↑Sat Jan 16, 2021 3:18 am
To support the thought of a different blade, notice the different finishes of the pins on both bolsters.
Treefarmer
Ahhh, very interesting
Well here's the reverse side in the open position. The pin is a little darker than on the other end...
Re: Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:53 pm
by Gone2Three
Well, it turns out that there is another letter after all. I used a pencil to uncover the letter J
But it's a solid old knife, and probably will make a excellent EDC !
Spent time cleaning it up and here it is
Re: Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 1:21 am
by 1967redrider
Didn't Robeson do secondary blade wells like this? Charlie would know if it's a Robeson.
You did an excellent job cleaning this one up too.
Re: Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 2:01 am
by Gone2Three
1967redrider wrote: ↑Sat Jan 23, 2021 1:21 am
Didn't Robeson do secondary blade wells like this? Charlie would know if it's a Robeson.
You did an excellent job cleaning this one up too.
Appreciate that redrider
I just received a reply from the seller which answers at least one of the mysteries... the initials are that of her father's. She was surprised to find out that I uncovered the letter J and mentioned that her father would have been a 100 this year. Her grandfather also shares the same initials, but didn't know if it dated back that far
Re: Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 2:08 am
by FRJ
The research can be so educational.
Nice job cleaning up that old packer.
Re: Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 2:20 am
by Gone2Three
FRJ wrote: ↑Sat Jan 23, 2021 2:08 am
The research can be so educational.
Nice job cleaning up that old packer.
Thanks Joe!
Re: Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 3:55 pm
by Reverand
I love old knives like this with extra character! This one is a very beautiful example, too, especially with the added info on the owner's initials.
It looks like JSU made another blade for the knife. That long-pull nick has definitely been cut by hand. And the pivot pin is steel. He probably replaced it with a nail, because that was what he had to work with.
I have a couple of knives that were similarly 'altered'. I believe that it was typically blue-collar workers who couldn't afford to replace a knife easily, but knew how to work with their hands and make what they needed.
Definitely not a 'disposable' minded generation, like people are today.
I wish these old knives could talk! Thank you for sharing this one.
Re: Odd military stamp? Need help with identifying
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2021 5:54 pm
by Gone2Three
Reverand wrote: ↑Sat Jan 23, 2021 3:55 pm
I love old knives like this with extra character! This one is a very beautiful example, too, especially with the added info on the owner's initials.
It looks like JSU made another blade for the knife. That long-pull nick has definitely been cut by hand. And the pivot pin is steel. He probably replaced it with a nail, because that was what he had to work with.
I have a couple of knives that were similarly 'altered'. I believe that it was typically blue-collar workers who couldn't afford to replace a knife easily, but knew how to work with their hands and make what they needed.
Definitely not a 'disposable' minded generation, like people are today.
I wish these old knives could talk! Thank you for sharing this one.
Thank you Reverand for your thoughtful response. It is indeed a beautiful knife, and something I'm proud to add to the collection. Definitely not going to be afraid to carry this one...it's built like a tank
