Imperial Stockman - tang stamp question

P

Paul Mig

Joined
Mar 19, 2015
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I started carrying my Grandfather’s 3-1/4” Imperial Stockman. In trying to learn more about it (and him) I have bitten by the “Stockman Bug” and now I can’t get enough. I just joined Bladeforums and wanted to start with a big “thank you!” to all of the experts for sharing what you know including the catalog images, pictures, and other information I have been devouring.

In trying to determine a date for my knife, I have come up with what I hope will be an interesting question for all of the Imperial / Schrade Walden gurus out there.

Briefly first – Grandpa liked to whittle and obviously modified the blades to suit him. Unfortunately, any etchings on the main blade are long gone. With the etching clue gone, I’m having trouble nailing down the exact model. My top three candidates are currently: The AL-54RB; the C3-697RB; or the 846RB. I am hoping a firm dating would help to settle this.

Anyway, what I can see in a few postings from “thawk”, “orvet” , “Irv”, “glennbad”, “knifeaholic”, "codger_64", "Larry_303" and several of you others with impressive collections are just a couple of photos of the tang stamp on the penknife. My penknife simply says “Stainless” while other examples I have found say “USA and Foreign Patent Pending”.

So, the question becomes… which penknife tang stamp came first and what was the date of the switch? Your thoughts here would be greatly appreciated.

this one is mine:
[URL=http://s1296.photobucket.com/user/Paul_Mig/media/Ipmerial%20Stockman%201_zpsoxma5hmt.jpg.html]
[IMG]http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag8/Paul_Mig/Ipmerial%20Stockman%201_zpsoxma5hmt.jpg[/URL][/IMG]

reverse image of mine:
Imperial%20Stockman%203_zpsndumom2f.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

This one is NOT my knife but instead an example of the "...Patent Pending" penknife tang stamp:
Stockman%2011_zpsf96ilmoj.png
[/URL][/IMG]

If at all possible, please include whatever supporting documentation you might have – I’m a bit of a detail freak as guess many of you areas well! ;) Thanks in advance…:thumbup:
 
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Thank you. I have seen that date guide too, it's good but obviously not exhaustive. BTW - I just updated my original post to include some photos...
 
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as an FYI - here is the catalog image originally posted by thawk that supports the AL-54RB model classification:
http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/FLYERS/IMPERIALS/knives/Pre-1980/images/IK65-RB-1.jpg

Here is a catalog page I found somewhere (sorry, can't remember where) supporting the C3-697 model classification:
Stockman%206_zpsdug9xocv.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]

Don't know if this will show up well but here is a catalog page 1973 supporting the 846RB model classification:
Imperial_Hammer_Dimond%20Edge%20Catalog%20page%20from%201973_zpspfj6lfxo.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
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Do you think that the tang stamps on the reverse side of the picture you posted matches mine?
 
Paul Mig said:
Do you think that the tang stamps on the reverse side of the picture you posted matches mine?
Click to expand...

As a matter of fact...

t9gpcz.jpg


These knives came out in 1964.

IK64-RB-30-1.jpg

1964 Flyer


The Schrade Walden "Razor Blade Stainless" knives had the Patent Pending designation on the etch of the blade when they came out in 1964 as well

10hipvp.jpg
 
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thawk said:
As a matter of fact...

t9gpcz.jpg


These knives came out in 1964.

IK64-RB-30-1.jpg

1964 Flyer


The Schrade Walden "Razor Blade Stainless" knives had the Patent Pending designation on the etch of the blade when they came out in 1964 as well

10hipvp.jpg
Click to expand...

OK, what I am seeing is that the 1964 model was the "846RB" which had the term "Super" included in the etching and the penknife tang stamp "...Patent Pend"

The 1965 model was "AL-54RB" which did not have the term "Super" in the etching but did have the "...Patent Pend".

So the question I have now is, whats the difference in the models and/or why did that make the model number switch? Also, what year did the penknife tang switch from "...Patent Pend" to "Stainless"? I believe you have examples of each, would you mind posting pictures of the reverse sides?

Last as a bonus question, what was the actual "patent" for? Which sister company applied for the patent & when was it granted?

As always, your expertise is much appreciated.
 
In 1946, Mr. Albert Baer purchased the Schrade Cutlery Companyfrom the Schrade Brothers and renamed it the Schrade Walden Cutlery Corporation. This plant was also to become a Division of the Imperial Knife Associated Companies group. By 1964, it was all one company, and I believe the patent was for the Razor Blade Stainless slogan. That's about as much as I know. I'm pretty sure they got the patent, because they kept using it, and quit putting patent pending on the blades.

Dating imperial, Schrade, and Ulsters is a crapshoot, because they had no intention of dating them, and old blades showed up on newer knives. Getting the era ended up being good enough for me.
 
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2ihqog9.jpg


287hym9.jpg


2ls8k8w.jpg


66iwl1.jpg


I've had a few of these. :) Not sure if the 834RB had the PAT PENDING stamp or not. But I think not or it would have been on the front of the pen blade. These are all long gone.
 
thawk said:
In 1946, Mr. Albert Baer purchased the Schrade Cutlery Companyfrom the Schrade Brothers and renamed it the Schrade Walden Cutlery Corporation. This plant was also to become a Division of the Imperial Knife Associated Companies group. By 1964, it was all one company, and I believe the patent was for the Razor Blade Stainless slogan. That's about as much as I know. I'm pretty sure they got the patent, because they kept using it, and quit putting patent pending on the blades.

Dating imperial, Schrade, and Ulsters is a crapshoot, because they had no intention of dating them, and old blades showed up on newer knives. Getting the era ended up being good enough for me.
Click to expand...

Regarding the dating being a crapshoot, I totally understand. For me I'm still having a bit of fun trying to figure out my Grandfather's knife and I'm hoping to pull from the knowledge of the entire (bladeforums) group. I am sure you have far better connections to the online guys I mentioned above, what do you think would be the best way for me to reach out and get a couple of those guys to take a look at the reverse side of their Imperials & shoot me a couple of pictures?? Thank you very much
 
Based on my experience with these brand of knives (not nearly as popular as the Schrades), I think this is the best place to get attention. Good luck in your pursuits.
 
thawk said:
Based on my experience with these brand of knives (not nearly as popular as the Schrades), I think this is the best place to get attention. Good luck in your pursuits.
Click to expand...

Much appreciated. Thanks for all of your help and assistance
 
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