Just Picked This Up From Ebay! Winchester Moose

R

Ron53

Joined
Jul 30, 2007
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I just won this from Ebay, a 1988 #2880 1/2 Winchester Moose! I really like this pattern, and this one will accompany me in the field and around the ranch. Here is the pic provided with the auction:
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I am very happy I won it!
Ron
 
Great feelin isnt it? Do not forget to check out antique shops. I picked up a Case 6244 in great condition for a nice price. I may have done better than ebay on that one, but have had at least 5 good feelings from ebay purchases this summer.
 
CJ, I picked this one up for $46 + shipping...I felt very fortunate to do so! I am constantly on the look-out at antique & pawn shops, as well as the local gun shows when I can attend them.

Ron
 
I agree! I'll be passing it on to my Grandson someday! I really like using the "Moose" pattern pocketknives.

Ron
 
I've got one of those as well. Great knife (though "strictly speaking" (according to the definitions in Levine's Guide) it isn't really a "moose").

(FWIW, according to Levine a "Moose" always has a wide clip as the "master blade" and is built upon a stockman style frame (premium or sowbelly). This knife with the "spear" master is (according to BRL) based upon the cattle knife frame and would be considered a "double-end", swell-center/balloon.)

Hey, don't shoot the messenger. ;)
 
Great score Ron, the Winchesters from that series are great quality and good old fashion high carbon steel!!

Just to add a bit a background, those were made by Queen for Blue Grass Cutlery.
 
Elliott, you are absolutely correct! I knew that...my Vintage Knives Model 1902 is a "double end" swell-center/balloon pattern as well...but if I describe it that way, everyone just scratches their heads and says,"Huh?":eek::D

So I always say "Moose" as most everyone can identify that!:D

Bearclaw, as was my Vintage knives Model 1902 as well! The Winchester #2880 1/2 and the Model 1902 are very similar, with just the grind lines of the blades and the handle material being different.

Ron
 
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Ron, I think I'd heard somewhere (but won't swear to it) that the Vintage offering was based upon the Winchester pattern/frame and may have used some of the same dies.


Ron53 said:
Elliott, you are absolutely correct! I knew that...my Vintage Knives Model 1902 is a "double end" swell-center/balloon pattern as well...but if I describe it that everyone just scratches their heads and says,"Huh?":eek::D

So I always say "Moose" as most everyone can identify that!:D

Bearclaw, as was my Vintage knives Model 1902 as well! The Winchester #2880 1/2 and the Model 1902 are very similar, with just the grind lines of the blades and the handle material being different.

Ron
Click to expand...
 
I believe you're right about that, Elliott! I will be able to let you know when I get home in 2 weeks and compare the two of them side-by-side. Their dimensions appear to be the same. The VK knife has ground-in swedges on the backs of the blades, instead of being entirely flat-ground, and, of course, the handle scales are ebony instead of Utica Bone. I do know I'm tremendously fond of the pattern!

Ron
 
The smaller 3 5/8" Winchester double-end, equal-end (referred to as a Bullhead in Levine's guide) with the same blade combination (and nice propeller shield) is an awesome knife as well. (Manufactured in the same year.)

I had mine reground by Tom Krein and it's just a super all around knife.

I can't recall at the moment if you had that one as well or if that's the one I had gotten in touch with Clarence to put aside for you. (Might've been the standard "moose" pattern.)
 
It was the standard "Moose" pattern I picked up from Clarence. I'm sending that one to my Dad for Christmas this year. I really like the Utica Bone that was put on as handle scales on these pocketknives. I plan on using this one as a "carry knife" for hiking and hunting this Fall and Winter. I have an old Case XX butcher knife that I re-ground and shortened to a 5" blade with osage orange handles, that, along with this Winchester, will be my "usin' knives" for hunting season this year.
 
The Moose and similar varrients(thats my work around to nitpicky Blues :p) is without a doubt my favorite pattern, and that one I've wanted for a bit now, Nice score indeed!

Now I have another one I didn't know of to look for, "smaller 3 5/8" Winchester double-end, equal-end (referred to as a Bullhead in Levine's guide)" Thanks Blues. The double-end equal-end is my favorite variation of the "moose" patterns...

G.
 
Happy to help, Tigre de Hielo. ;)

This is what you're looking for:

standard.jpg
 
They're not that hard to find either. I put together a collection of 2 patterns short of the whole series in just a few weeks. Yep, they're out there and they are worth having. Darn good knives.
 
Oooooh! and with the propeller shield that I was planning on putting on a couple customs I'm doing- Sweet.

Well, that just bumped the GEC from the top of the 'get' Moose list.

G.
 
Personally, I would call that a swell center "something" A lot of folks get spun up about 'correct" names for pocket knives, heck, some get spun up about that nomenclature, and demand that they be called "slip joints":)

Me? If a guy calls a stockman, a "jack" by regional usage, so what?. Name the sheepsfoot blade sometime by regional usage. 99 out of 100 of old generation midwest farmers, will call the sheepsfoot a castrating blade.

I dont lose any sleep over such arguements, thats for sure.:)

I dont recall the exact story now, whether Queen made those, or I think some claim Kutmaster made the very early ones, but I suspect Queen made that one shown.

Anyway, the good part is, there are still apparently tons of them out there to be found, whether at gun shows, or on Ebay. I know an old Win guy in Reno, that continues to bring near every pattern ever sold, and they are generally priced between 50 and 75 dollars.
 
By any name, it cuts just as good! :D

And this one will see a LOT of cutting! :thumbup:

Ron
 
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