Confused by Case stamp

I'm not familiar with the designations in Case's model numbers but it looks to me like the SS is for the blades being stainless instead of carbon steel.
 
D Davestwin
Moving this to Traditional, I'm sure someone will be able to answer your question.
 
Where did you get it from? Any chance it was cobbled together from extra parts? My guess is that blades from the metal handle were added to a bone #79 senator frame.

It looks like that bone has seen a lot more wear than those blades, which also makes me think it was given new blades at some point.

When the blades were down to nubs on my grandfathers 6332, my dad had the them replaced with more recent 032 blades.
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Nature Boy said:
Where did you get it from? Any chance it was cobbled together from extra parts? My guess is that blades from the metal handle were added to a bone #79 senator frame.

It looks like that bone has seen a lot more wear than those blades, which also makes me think it was given new blades at some point.

When the blades were down to nubs on my grandfathers 6332, my dad had the them replaced with more recent 032 blades.
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I got it from a friend whose dad was a gun collector who also collected some knives … primarily Case’s. He recently passed away so I can’t ask him. I suspected the handles had been changed but wanted to make sure there wasn’t some other explanation. I’m fairly new to the knife collecting hobby so there’s so much I simply don’t know. Though, I’m reading as much as I can and asking for help. Thanks for your help!
 
Davestwin said:
I got it from a friend whose dad was a gun collector who also collected some knives … primarily Case’s. He recently passed away so I can’t ask him. I suspected the handles had been changed but wanted to make sure there wasn’t some other explanation. I’m fairly new to the knife collecting hobby so there’s so much I simply don’t know. Though, I’m reading as much as I can and asking for help. Thanks for your help!
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Handles changed? The Case M279SS had solid slab handles, no bolsters, so thats not likely.
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.co...ainless-usa-2-dot-1978-metal-m279ss-pen-knife
Most likely explanation is the blade was replaced at some point.
 
I had an m279ss awhile back.

I believe they might be the same frame and blades as the 63 pattern Eisenhower pen knife.
They have been offered in SS, and the m279ss pen blade could have made it's way into the wrong bin at the factory.
 
Arathol said:
Handles changed? The Case M279SS had solid slab handles, no bolsters, so thats not likely.
https://www.allaboutpocketknives.co...ainless-usa-2-dot-1978-metal-m279ss-pen-knife
Most likely explanation is the blade was replaced at some point.
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That makes much more sense. Nature Boy said the same thing but I missed it. I went back and reread his comments and you’ve both most likely nailed it. As mentioned, the blades look to be in much better shape than the bone handles. Seeing as I can’t come across any less knowledgeable, let me ask a couple of other questions. Is this or was this a common practice ie switching parts? Is there any value in such a knife? Thanks again!
 
waynorth said:
Looks like the wrong picture!!??
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I’m not sure what you mean? I posted 4 photos of the Case knife in question. A couple of folks appear to have answered my original question and that was can the “m” signify anything other than metal handles. It can’t, so it appears the previous owner changed out the blades. Most likely in the 70’s as he became bedridden in the early 80’s and lost interest in collecting guns or knives. I got the knife from his son … along with about 25 more. None of the other knives were made any later than 1978. Sorry about the photo issue. I don’t know what could have happened as I can still see the photos on my end.
 
That’s correct. “Parts knives” are not desired like factory originals, but can make great users.
It’s possible it may have had sentimental value to someone, like my grandfather’s stockman, who was trying to preserve the life of an old favorite. Does your friend recognize it as a knife regularly carried by his dad? It might be more valuable to him, if so.
 
Nature Boy said:
That’s correct. “Parts knives” are not desired like factory originals, but can make great users.
It’s possible it may have had sentimental value to someone, like my grandfather’s stockman, who was trying to preserve the life of an old favorite. Does your friend recognize it as a knife regularly carried by his dad? It might be more valuable to him, if so.
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I’ll ask him … thanks!
 
My friend doesn’t remember it being one of his dad’s favorites. His dad’s absolute favorite knife … the one he showed everyone who walked in his house … was a large green bone Case Trapper. So, I guess I’ll never know the story behind the blade change. No matter … even though it’s not as valuable … it’s still a beautiful knife! Thanks again!
 
Everyone around here loves to see a well loved knife, if you ever get a chance to take a pic of that trapper!

Welcome to the Porch, by the way!
 
Nature Boy said:
Everyone around here loves to see a well loved knife, if you ever get a chance to take a pic of that trapper!

Welcome to the Porch, by the way!
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Thank you … it’s a wonderful forum. So much knowledge from folks who enjoy sharing it. On some sites they’re not too crazy about novices like myself or at least it seems that way. They scold you if you post something on the wrong thread or they make you feel like a dunce for asking something they think you should already know.
 
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