I’d this Case fixed blade

[Leo7504]

This Case fixed blade has a 5 in blade, fuller, brass full guard, and a very unique looking embossing on the end of the steel handle. I know the stamp says 1940-64, so I’m guessing post WW II but I don’t know that. Anybody have a better identification or an educated guess on that embossing on the handle?

[Gunsil]

Why do you say the mark is 1940-1964? That mark began in 1932, was never used on Case folding knives, and I am unsure when it was last used. The pommel is aluminum and the "embossing" is not from the factory. This knife is likely WW2 or a little earlier and is the type of knife included in bail out kits for pilots. The bail out kit knives included those made by Marbles, Case, and Camillus, all with 5" blades, leather handles, and aluminum pommels. The bail out kits were provided to the military by private contractors who could include either of the three manufacturers knives. Another cool old WW2 related knife!

[Leo7504]

The only reference to a block style CASE mark is the CASE XX mark referenced in the AAPK research tab and I know that relates to pocket knives but I’ve never seen a definitive listing for CASE fixed blade marks. I’m happy to be wrong in this instance. So while a brass guard would be a marker for a Western knife to be just prior or just after 1942-45 due to scarcity of materials this CASE knife you think may be just prior to 1942? Are you aware of any published reference to Case fixed blade tang stamps? As always I appreciate you sharing your knowledge Gunsil.

[Modern Slip Joints]

The first sticky thread in the sub-forum Knife Related Questions And Answers is a thread on tang stamps. Case fixed blade stamps are on page two. This link should take you straight there: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... 9&start=25 Unfortunately it is hard for me to read.

I've had the six inch version of your knife for years but don't recall anything about its tang stamp or age. Since the fuller is not Case's usual style I guessed Case contracted its manufacture to another company. I'll dig it out later.

[Gunsil]

There is no accurate Case fixed blade stamp chart just like there is no accurate Case pocket knife stamp chart, both contain big mistakes. For instance, the Tested XX mark definitely did not end in 1940 (on pocket knives) yet Case for some reason says it did based on the memory of a woman who worked there. On the factory board of all the folding knives Case made for the military in WW2 all the pocket knives are marked Tested XX so the mark most likely ran until 1945 at least. There is not any evidence that it started in 1920 either. The mark on your knife is known as the Case "serifs mark" since the letters have little "feet" which are known as serifs. This mark began when Case resumed making their own fixed blades in 1932 and was used on some fixed blades but not all of them until the early 1960s. Even though the serifs mark was used prolificly the mark is not shown in the Case fixed blade mark charts. The first Case XX mark that can be dated accurately appeared on the 337-Q and V-44 military knives beginning in 1943, maybe late 1942. Sadly there is nobody at present day Case who cares to use research to amend their stamp/date charts to be more accurate. Case made several models with fullers during the war, I don't think they were made by other companies.

[Leo7504]

I had not noticed the “little feet” on the letters until you pointed it out. I had another knife with the same mark, but it is not frequently seen by me. This knife reminds me of Westerns Baby Shark and I have a WWII version with a full guard and a 5 in blade and they are very similar. To have a WW II era Case knife used in the military is a good thing from a collectors point of view as it is a piece of our history. I do appreciate all the accumulated knowledge shared by those on this website to help illuminate the history of these knives because having these conversations is the only way to narrow down a definitive answer and in some cases there may not be a definitive answer to be had.