I had previously posted this knife in this forum without any specs and missing a little information which I will add in this post.
This is a rare drop point hunter made by the man himself - Jimmy Lile. This particular one features his early script signature and is signed on one side of the blade face "Hand Made By James B. Lile". This signature was only used a couple of years in the early 70's if I have my history correct. The other side of the blade states that the knife was made for the National Muzzleloader Rifle Associations Spring Shoot in 1972. This shoot takes place in Friendship Indiana. The knife is serial numbered #48 of 50. I go to Friendship each year and Jimmy used to setup there for years. The year 1972 would be considered Lile's 2nd year as a FULLTIME knife maker.
This knife is a very rare version of an extremely popular pattern by Jimmy. It measures right at 8 1/2" long and the blade is only 3 1/2" of that. The width at the tang looks to be 3/16" - nearly 1/4" thick. This is VERY well made by one of the most sought after modern knife makers in American History. Here is the Wikipedia post about Lile: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Lile
The handle material appears to be some type of exotic wood. I don't think it is tiger maple but then again, I don't know woods very well. The knife is extremely rare and will make a wonderful addition to a collection. I believe I might have found another 8 of this set all living in a museum.
I know that cowan auction has sold one of the other 49 of these in recent days for a considerable sum of money and here is a link to the price realized from it: http://www.cowanauctions.com/auction...x?ItemId=83423 -- The one sold by cowan had very difficult to read inscriptions. The ones on this knife are very strong and easily read. I have dropped my price down a couple hundred dollars as I need to move this knife. I would like $750 or your best offer. At that price, there is room for you to make money on this knife. It has never been sharpend or carried.
This is a rare drop point hunter made by the man himself - Jimmy Lile. This particular one features his early script signature and is signed on one side of the blade face "Hand Made By James B. Lile". This signature was only used a couple of years in the early 70's if I have my history correct. The other side of the blade states that the knife was made for the National Muzzleloader Rifle Associations Spring Shoot in 1972. This shoot takes place in Friendship Indiana. The knife is serial numbered #48 of 50. I go to Friendship each year and Jimmy used to setup there for years. The year 1972 would be considered Lile's 2nd year as a FULLTIME knife maker.
This knife is a very rare version of an extremely popular pattern by Jimmy. It measures right at 8 1/2" long and the blade is only 3 1/2" of that. The width at the tang looks to be 3/16" - nearly 1/4" thick. This is VERY well made by one of the most sought after modern knife makers in American History. Here is the Wikipedia post about Lile: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Lile
The handle material appears to be some type of exotic wood. I don't think it is tiger maple but then again, I don't know woods very well. The knife is extremely rare and will make a wonderful addition to a collection. I believe I might have found another 8 of this set all living in a museum.
I know that cowan auction has sold one of the other 49 of these in recent days for a considerable sum of money and here is a link to the price realized from it: http://www.cowanauctions.com/auction...x?ItemId=83423 -- The one sold by cowan had very difficult to read inscriptions. The ones on this knife are very strong and easily read. I have dropped my price down a couple hundred dollars as I need to move this knife. I would like $750 or your best offer. At that price, there is room for you to make money on this knife. It has never been sharpend or carried.