Cattaraugus Knives

[ScouterJohn]

Greetings to all,

I am new to this website and forum. I have an old Cattaraugus pocketknife that was my grandfathers'. It recently came into my possession and in researching it a little to understand when and where he bought it, I've found it may be a rarity. I am asking you all to give your more experienced opinions please. It is a Cattaraugus barehead jack knife with two blades one one end. Both ends of the handle have a nickel finish. the side grips are what I've to be "red bone" with three pins, one in the middle at each end and the third on the center is slightly larger. The handle reduces larger to smaller from left ot right. The larger blade has the numbers 22429 on its rearbase at the handle. It has Cattraugus Cutlery LittleValle at the blade face base. The new knives I've seen for sale on the web that appear similar are seilling for over $200. Is this old piece really that valuable?

Thanks in advance for your time and caring, ScouterJohn

 

[TorzJohnson]

Wow, I have no clue why you chose the Community forum to post this, but just hold on for a few minutes. Kalooch will be along shortly to move it for you.

(Hint: look around the site a little and you'll find a different forum for every purpose. And if there's a sticky at the top of a forum, please read it!)

 

[JD Mandrell]

Greetings to all,

I am new to this website and forum. I have an old Cattaraugus pocketknife that was my grandfathers'. It recently came into my possession and in researching it a little to understand when and where he bought it, I've found it may be a rarity. I am asking you all to give your more experienced opinions please. It is a Cattaraugus barehead jack knife with two blades one one end. Both ends of the handle have a nickel finish. the side grips are what I've to be "red bone" with three pins, one in the middle at each end and the third on the center is slightly larger. The handle reduces larger to smaller from left ot right. The larger blade has the numbers 22429 on its rearbase at the handle. It has Cattraugus Cutlery LittleValle at the blade face base. The new knives I've seen for sale on the web that appear similar are seilling for over $200. Is this old piece really that valuable?

Thanks in advance for your time and caring, ScouterJohn

Welcome to blade forums, I can't give you an exact age, or value but I can give you some info'.

The Cattaraugus 22429 is a Gunstock Jack Knife, it is actually not a "barehead" since both ends have metal bolsters. it should be 3 5/8 inches long closed, and the handles are "Stag Bone". The C. Huston Price "Guide to Collector's Knives" gives a value of $350.00 for a MINT one.

Cattaraugus originally started as J.B.F. Champlin & Son by John Brown Francis Champlin and his son "Tint" in 1882. In 1886 they were joined by four of Mr. Champlin's "Brothers-in-law", all with the last name of "Case"...at that time they changed the name of the company to Cattaraugus and it survived it's ups and downs until 1963.

The name has been revived for special edition knives a few times since, but since you discribe yours as "old", It's probably an original.

Nice heirloom for sure!