Case 12031L "TL-29" info needed

fast14riot

fast14riot

Joined
Oct 27, 2010
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I have a 9 dot Case TL29 in need of some work. Overall its in fair condition, but one scale has lifted a bit and its missing its bail. It's the missing bail I'm interested in, if someone has a knife like this could give me the dimensions of the bail. Wire diameter, distance from pins to end, width of loop, length of flat tab on bail ends if present so I could make one close to original, that would be great.

Btw, could anyone confirm the scale material for me as well? I believe it is walnut.


Thanx!

-Xander
 
The 12031L is referring to the pattern number right? If so then the 1st 1 would denote a Walnut handle. Sorry, I know nothing about the bail.
 
Dimensions on mine (1981 '9-dot' 12031L with the 'lightning S' in the stamp; handles are walnut):

Wire diameter: 0.08"
From pins to end of loop: ~1.2" (my bail has a somewhat 'teardrop' shape, with a slight 'peak' in the end of the loop; don't know if that was standard).
Width of loop (outside dimension): ~0.83"
Flattened tab at ends of bail: Flattening of the ends of the loop seems to extend from the pin to nearly the butt end (bail extended along the long axis of the handle), a length of ~0.42" measured from pin center. The rounded ends of the bail are ~0.17" circular diameter, concentric to the pin.


David
 
Fantastic, thank you!

Mine is a '71, with the regular "S" stamp, I believe. Also, is the bail attached closer to the blade pivot than the rear pin? Mine has a pin aft of the empty hole.

Could you post some pics by chance? There is enough info there for me to craft one easily, but a picture is worth 1000 words, they say!


-Xander
 
You're right. There is a pin (brass) aft of the bail's anchor pin, ~0.2" distance between centers.

I may have to recharge the batteries in my camera (hasn't been used in a while), but I'll see if I can take some pics today.


David
 
Xander,

Here are a few pics, which I think should illustrate most of what you're wanting to see. Was hoping to do these under daylight, but it's a bit too late for that. The fluorescent lamp I used left the lighting coloration a bit flaky. Let me know if there's anything needing further clarification or a different look. Sorry for the late(ish) follow-up; had to recharge the camera batteries, and today was additionally busy for me. :)


David
 
Last edited:
Perfect! Everything I need to know is here. Although the way the bail is flattened on the inside of the loop is interesting. I doubt I will even try to recreate that, but I will try to incorporate as much original features as possible, except I will not use NS for the bail. I do not want to have it mistaken for a factory bail.

I will take a few pics when I get to it. Thanx!


-Xander
 
fast14riot said:
Perfect! Everything I need to know is here. Although the way the bail is flattened on the inside of the loop is interesting. I doubt I will even try to recreate that, but I will try to incorporate as much original features as possible, except I will not use NS for the bail. I do not want to have it mistaken for a factory bail.

I will take a few pics when I get to it. Thanx!


-Xander
Click to expand...

You're welcome, Xander. I never really took a hard look at how that bail was flattened either, until examining the pics I took yesterday. It does make me wonder how they did it. I'm curious to see how yours will turn out, as I have an older one (1974) that's also missing a bail (and some wood has chipped off one handle, and the blade's tip is severely rounded from over-sharpening, etc). If I ever get brave enough, it may become a refurb project for me, someday. :)


David
 
To me, the bail looks machine stamped due to the flashing on the side of the eye (which would be cut/ground off), also the way the eye is perfectly formed points to this. It would then be bent and pinned in place, likely by hand.

I have several other TL29 knives that have a bail shaped the same way, except the ends are more of just a flattened wire than a perfect eye.

Hopefully I can get some shop time tomorrow morning, but will be leaving for a weekend get away with the wife in the afternoon so we'll see.


-X
 
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