W.R. Case & Son

[Potechop]

What you guys think about this one. Listed on eBay now. Don’t know how to post the listing. First thing I noticed was the made in USA on file blade. Didn’t k ow case stamped USA before 1965.

[Potechop]

Sorry I didn’t post good pictures of the tang stamp

[olderdogs1]

Made for the military WW1, not a counterfeit, they are all stamped that way.

Tom

[Gunsil]

WW1 navy knife, Case was one of several makers of these.

[Potechop]

Good deal. First time I saw one. Hate I posted a knife I didn’t know anything about. I started collecting case in the 70s but I never got into anything before the xx . I learned something and I do all the time on this site.

[56Dodgers]

Why is there no darkness in the main blade stamp? The nail nick sure is dark.

Pretty perfect shape for a utilitarian-military knife. Almost no wear. A rare bird indeed...

Compare to this one that was sold through AAPK - note the profile of the main blade tip. Was there more than one blade style?

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... tary-knife

[Waukonda]

I realize that the question from the op has been answered, but I find it interesting that my W R Case WW1 Navy knife has a slight difference. There is no stamp on the file blade, and the "Made in USA" stamp is on the back of the main blade.

[doglegg]

I realize that the question from the op has been answered, but I find it interesting that my W R Case WW1 Navy knife has a slight difference. There is no stamp on the file blade, and the "Made in USA" stamp is on the back of the main blade.

That is a fine knife Ike. Condition is good, bone is beautiful and wonderful old tang stamps.

[stockman]

Ike I sure like your knife.

Harold

[Waukonda]

Ike I sure like your knife.

Harold

Thank you, Floyd, and thank you, Harold. I really like that pattern, size, and the history behind these knives.

[56Dodgers]

Sorry I didn’t post good pictures of the tang stamp

Any thoughts on this specific master blade tang stamp?

[ScoutKnives]

From what I can tell it looks restored , reprofiled main blade and incorrect bail . Not sure on the tang stamps but they may have been touched up as well .

[Mumbleypeg]

I agree, the OP knife’s master blade has likely been re-profiled. Possibly due to the tip of the blade having been broken off. Stamps look suspicious to me. Those on Ike’s example are good - compare the two. I seem to recall the pattern having been made by another maker also?

Not specific to the OP knife only, but a conundrum with the W.R. CASE & SONS stamp is that most resources say it was used 1905-1914. The OP pattern is also attributed to being a WWI military knife. However, WWI did not start until 1914. So if this stamp was used until 1914 (and that the “Made in USA” stamp was used during WWI), but WWI didn’t start until 1914, either the stamp was likely used post-1914, the knife is not really military, or…………..?

The other question I have wondered about is, why the fingernail groomer manicure blade on a military knife?
Inquiring minds.

Ken

[doglegg]

Ken, I have read somewhere that the fingernail file was pretty common on the old Navy knives as one would need it from handling the ropes. That they were hard on nails. But I'm no expert.

[olderdogs1]

I agree, the OP knife’s master blade has likely been re-profiled. Possibly due to the tip of the blade having been broken off. Stamps look suspicious to me. Those on Ike’s example are good - compare the two. I seem to recall the pattern having been made by another maker also?

Not specific to the OP knife only, but a conundrum with the W.R. CASE & SONS stamp is that most resources say it was used 1905-1914. The OP pattern is also attributed to being a WWI military knife. However, WWI did not start until 1914. So if this stamp was used until 1914 (and that the “Made in USA” stamp was used during WWI), but WWI didn’t start until 1914, either the stamp was likely used post-1914, the knife is not really military, or…………..?

The other question I have wondered about is, why the fingernail groomer manicure blade on a military knife?
Inquiring minds.

The WW1 Navy Knives were not produced until 1917. Case had a contract to produce around 80,000 of them for around 39 cents each so yes the WR Case & Sons Stamp was used after 1914. On some knives. There are other examples of the stamp being used after 1914 as well. The Case pliers knife produced contracted to Valley Forge is another example of the stamp being used later. But all I have handled had the main blade shaped like the second knife posted. I have read that the file blade was placed on the knives because the finger nails were a source of infection in the military.

Tom

Ken

[Mumbleypeg]

Thanks for that information Floyd and Tom. Confirms what I have thought about the stamp, and makes sense regarding fingernails. I don't recall seeing a manicure blade on other military knives.

Ken

[peanut740]

I have had these WWI navy knives by I think at last count 17 makers and maybe 18.They were all 3 1/4", 2 blade,rope and file.Bone handles and over sized bail.A nice knife to try to get all of them in good condition.