Remington R4353

[mercury31]

Hello, New member here. Thanks for adding me. Just getting into collecting knives and this site is very helpful. I recently bought a box of old knives at an auction and this Remington was among them. Looking for some opinions as to whether it is an original or a reproduction. All help is very appreciated. Thanks

[1967redrider]

I'd say that's an original Bullet Knife. And to AAPK!

[edge213]

Me too.

[1967redrider]

Hello, New member here. Thanks for adding me. Just getting into collecting knives and this site is very helpful. I recently bought a box of old knives at an auction and this Remington was among them. Looking for some opinions as to whether it is an original or a reproduction. All help is very appreciated. ThanksIMG_3471.JPGIMG_3472.JPGIMG_3474.JPGIMG_3476.JPGIMG_3477.JPGIMG_3478.JPG

Check out this thread-

viewtopic.php?f=67&t=56072

I think this is about the best grouped Bullet Knife thread.

[RalphAlsip]

Hello, New member here. Thanks for adding me. Just getting into collecting knives and this site is very helpful. I recently bought a box of old knives at an auction and this Remington was among them. Looking for some opinions as to whether it is an original or a reproduction. All help is very appreciated. ThanksIMG_3471.JPGIMG_3472.JPGIMG_3474.JPGIMG_3476.JPGIMG_3477.JPGIMG_3478.JPG

Mercury31, yes you do have an original Remington Bullet R4353. Your example has significant pocket wear, oxidation on metal surfaces, and blade loss. On the plus side a significant amount of the blade etch remains. It is a great find, but the condition impacts its collector value. It would be a fantastic knife to carry.

[Froe]

I’d say a darn nice find!
Froe

[stockman]

Nice find, it doesn’t happen often to find a original Bullet in a box of old knives. What else was in the box. Harold

[mercury31]

There was a variety of brands, Colonial, Imperial, Hammer Brand, Camillus, Keen Kutter. The majority were Colonial and Imperial. There were 3-4 made in Japan. Five straight razors also. I think there were about 40 knives total, plus the razors. Been working on some of them cleaning them up.

[stockman]

It would be fun to see some more of your find. Harold

[mercury31]

Thanks to all for the comments. Greatly appreciated. I have another question about the Remington. I have looked at some other examples of the R4353 on this site and the shield appears to be centered end to end on them. The one I have it is noticeably closer to the right end. Also on the other examples I see a center rivet in the scale above the shield. The one I have only has a center rivet on the side opposite the shield. Was wondering if this would indicate a particular time period within the production years? Thanks!

[RalphAlsip]

Thanks to all for the comments. Greatly appreciated. I have another question about the Remington. I have looked at some other examples of the R4353 on this site and the shield appears to be centered end to end on them. The one I have it is noticeably closer to the right end. Also on the other examples I see a center rivet in the scale above the shield. The one I have only has a center rivet on the side opposite the shield. Was wondering if this would indicate a particular time period within the production years? Thanks!

Good observation about the location of the shield and number of handle pins! The R4353 was one of the first patterns produced in the original Bullet line. In my experience it is very unusual for the shield not to be centered, however I have seen them. The Camillus reproductions from the 1980's were made with the shield located where yours is located. If your knife were in like new condition then I might have some concerns about it being messed with. I have no doubts yours is an original even though it does look atypical. There is probably something that could be discerned about your knife such as when it was manufactured for example, but my knowledge is not deep enough to make a comment. I will try to do some research to see if I can find any information that describes the shield and pin variations. My confidence is low that I will find something.

[Wudidiz]

Mine has an off center shield.

[edge213]

Mine has an off center shield.

02B2F3A4-5F93-499D-9E20-33FDB7FADA55.jpeg

Yours is a Camillus made Remington, not made by Remington, in case you didn't know

[Wudidiz]

Mine has an off center shield.

02B2F3A4-5F93-499D-9E20-33FDB7FADA55.jpeg

Yours is a Camilous made Remington, not made by Remington, in case you didn't know

Now I do. Thanks

[Mumbleypeg]

For future reference, the authorized reproductions made by Camillus have Delrin handle covers and stainless steel blades (exception being those with sterling silver shields- those "Silver Bullet" versions have genuine bone covers).

The originals made by Remington in the 1920s-1930s have carbon steel blades and genuine bone covers.

Ken

[stockman]

One about the same condition as yours with shield centered. Harold

[RalphAlsip]

In addition to the difference in the shield location, there are a few other differences in the original bullet R4353.
1. Number pins. Center shield has 4 handle pins; uncentered shield has 3 handle pins. This was noted earlier
2. Nail nick. The nail nick on the center shield is closer to the blade tip.
3. Blade etch. The blade etch is closer to the tang (i.e., uncentered) on the center shield variation.

Of the 2 knives attached to this post, I believe the center shield example is a later production (1930's) and the uncentered shield example is early 1920's.

[mercury31]

Thanks for the update Ralph! I appreciate the information.