"Old Knives"

[veitsi_poika]

Yep. I looked and it's got the same 9903 and tree.

I just looked at the Boker book again and I guess it still could be Delrin with the 9903 number. I just put mine under the eyeglass and it is definitely bone... I suspect yours is the same In fact I just noticed that yours has the Tree Brand etch and the book says that one is definitely jigged bone

 

[herder]

I did a "Buy it Now" for one of those "junk drawer" sales that had 4 knives for $30... well it had this little gem in there along with an almost mint Schrade Walden 825. This is an awesome Boker peanut frame... very cool knife! According to my "Ray & Punchard" Boker guide... this one dates from 1914 to 1962. Maybe someone knowledgeable on Boker's can weigh in on a more precise date... (hint hint wink wink H herder )

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Nice looking Boker Dogleg, V.P., but it dates a little later than you might think.
When Ricky and I wrote the Boker book, we started with a mountain of catalogs and paperwork that we had each accumulated over many years.
While we tried to include as much information as possible in the book, size and cost restraints usually limit how much can actually be published.
The reference guides in the back of the book give pretty good clues as to when a Boker knife was made, but they all have to be used together.
I have the advantage in having my Boker reference material right in front of me, but even then it can be a challenge sometimes in figuring out certain Boker models.

My estimate would be that your knife dates to the mid 1970s. While that model does date back to 1914, that type of shield wasn't used until 1955.
And while that shield was offered in 1955 on many Boker models, I don't see it used on the model 9903 Dogleg knife like yours until after 1973.
By 1976 the shield was changed slightly with the addition of a small "R" (registered) mark, but the older shields could have still been in use until they were used up.
Here is an illustration for the Dogleg model 9903 as seen in catalogs from 1955 through 1973 with no shields on the handle, along with one from 1976 with a shield.

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[veitsi_poika]

Nice looking Boker Dogleg, V.P., but it dates a little later than you might think.
When Ricky and I wrote the Boker book, we started with a mountain of catalogs and paperwork that we had each accumulated over many years.
While we tried to include as much information as possible in the book, size and cost restraints usually limit how much can actually be published.
The reference guides in the back of the book give pretty good clues as to when a Boker knife was made, but they all have to be used together.
I have the advantage in having my Boker reference material right in front of me, but even then it can be a challenge sometimes in figuring out certain Boker models.

My estimate would be that your knife dates to the mid 1970s. While that model does date back to 1914, that type of shield wasn't used until 1955.
And while that shield was offered in 1955 on many Boker models, I don't see it used on the model 9903 Dogleg knife like yours until after 1973.
By 1976 the shield was changed slightly with the addition of a small "R" (registered) mark, but the older shields could have still been in use until they were used up.
Here is an illustration for the Dogleg model 9903 as seen in catalogs from 1955 through 1973 with no shields on the handle, along with one from 1976 with a shield.

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Excellent info Neal, thank you! Not disappointing news at all as I know how the guessing game is when it comes to the age of these beauties It's only natural to hope for the 100 year old knife, sort of like the 10 lb walleye I caught that actually weighed 6.5 lbs Or 6 lbs. Thanks again for sharing the knowledge

 

[r8shell]

Yes, thank you, H herder .
The weather is getting colder today so I'm staying in, and finally have a chance to sit down with a cup of hot tea and the Boker Book.

Excellent info Neal, thank you! Not disappointing news at all as I know how the guessing game is when it comes to the age of these beauties It's only natural to hope for the 100 year old knife, sort of like the 10 lb walleye I caught that actually weighed 6.5 lbs Or 6 lbs. Thanks again for sharing the knowledge

Besides, I remember when I thought a 40 year old knife was "old" Each year it gets harder to find knives that are older than I am.

 

[herder]

Thanks V.P., and r8shell.
My Grandma used to smile at the "old" things I collected that were once new to her.

 

[herder]

There's a new Sheriff in town...
Imperial is probably best known for inexpensive and shell handled knives offered for several decades following WWII.
Aside from regular pocket and fixed blade knives, they made some pretty neat novelty and special interest models.
Here is a carded boy's knife and chain with a Junior Sheriff badge from the late 1950s, along with an ad illustration from 1957.
Hard to believe that this knife is over 60 years old...

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[Campbellclanman]

THAT is pretty cool! Just imagine having one as a young lad!
In New Zealand young lads never carried a knife, unless you grew up on a farm and even then?
Amazing because that looks brand new!

 

[waynorth]

There's an old Sheriff in town!! Nice herder!!

 

[Fodderwing]

There's a new Sheriff in town.

That is very cool Neal! Like Duncan said, I would have thought that was the neatest thing in the world back when I was a lad. Guess I haven't really changed that much.

 

[Gevonovich]

Very cool, Herder ! Thanks

 

[t.willy]

Hello everybody. First I can't believe I've never heard of this thread until now lol. I posted a few vintage slipjoints in another thread and got a tip this is the best place to ask questions about your old knives so hear I am. Lol. I was shocked to find these two amazing old knives still up for grabs. My questions mainly are if anybody could give me an idea of there age and though I can see the Barlow was cleaned the Valley Forge looks like it might be untouched. How would I go about finding that out. PS The knives are still in the mail heading to me I'm only going off these pictures from the seller. Thank you in advance for any help. Trevor

 

[CNoyes]

I think there's a 50/50 chance the Barlow was made by Robeson.

Robeson is known to have made knives for HSB.

I no longer own this knife and I hope its new owner will not be offended, but this is why I said the above.

 

[t.willy]

Thank you for the info CNoyes.

 

[r8shell]

Hello everybody. First I can't believe I've never heard of this thread until now lol. I posted a few vintage slipjoints in another thread and got a tip this is the best place to ask questions about your old knives so hear I am. Lol. I was shocked to find these two amazing old knives still up for grabs. My questions mainly are if anybody could give me an idea of there age and though I can see the Barlow was cleaned the Valley Forge looks like it might be untouched. How would I go about finding that out. PS The knives are still in the mail heading to me I'm only going off these pictures from the seller. Thank you in advance for any help. Trevor View attachment 1086478 View attachment 1086479 View attachment 1086480 View attachment 1086481 View attachment 1086482 View attachment 1086483

Those are a couple of nice finds, congratulations!

If the Valley Forge has a stamp on the back of the main blade of "VF" inside a circle, it's made after 1916, in the same factory as Boker USA, up to 1950, I think.

Here are my two Valley Forges. The top one in bone is post 1916, and the wooden one is older, 1890s possibly.

 

[t.willy]

Those are a couple of nice finds, congratulations!

If the Valley Forge has a stamp on the back of the main blade of "VF" inside a circle, it's made after 1916, in the same factory as Boker USA, up to 1950, I think.

Here are my two Valley Forges. The top one in bone is post 1916, and the wooden one is older, 1890s
Actually the seller described the Jack as having a VF within a circle in the sale so I guess that's a good start on the age of the Valley Forge. Thank you r8shell and those are two sweet old knives you have there yourself. Can you imagine the tails that older wooden one could tell if it talked.

 

[t.willy]

I think there's a 50/50 chance the Barlow was made by Robeson.

Robeson is known to have made knives for HSB.

I no longer own this knife and I hope its new owner will not be offended, but this is why I said the above.

Well I can definitely see your point. There the exact same knife except the one in your photos is mint. Stunning btw.

 

[herder]

Thanks, Campbellclanman, waynorth, Fodderwing, and Gevonovich.
Kids had it pretty good in the 1950s and 1960s, Red Ryder B.B. guns and pocket knives sold in every nickel and dime store.

 

[herder]

Hello everybody. First I can't believe I've never heard of this thread until now lol. I posted a few vintage slipjoints in another thread and got a tip this is the best place to ask questions about your old knives so hear I am. Lol. I was shocked to find these two amazing old knives still up for grabs. My questions mainly are if anybody could give me an idea of there age and though I can see the Barlow was cleaned the Valley Forge looks like it might be untouched. How would I go about finding that out. PS The knives are still in the mail heading to me I'm only going off these pictures from the seller. Thank you in advance for any help. Trevor View attachment 1086478 View attachment 1086479 View attachment 1086480 View attachment 1086481 View attachment 1086482 View attachment 1086483

A couple of fine knives there, t.willy.
I believe that Valley Forge was made in the 1920s or 1930s. While not quite the same model, enclosed is an easy opener based on your model with the same handle shield from 1925.
Pretty good chance that your H.S.&B. Barlow was made by Ulster who contracted out to many retailers. Enclosed is a Ulster catalog cut which matches up to your model.

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[t.willy]

That's exactly what I was hoping for thanks herder.

 

[Augie]

Hello everybody. First I can't believe I've never heard of this thread until now lol. I posted a few vintage slipjoints in another thread and got a tip this is the best place to ask questions about your old knives so hear I am. Lol. I was shocked to find these two amazing old knives still up for grabs. My questions mainly are if anybody could give me an idea of there age and though I can see the Barlow was cleaned the Valley Forge looks like it might be untouched. How would I go about finding that out. PS The knives are still in the mail heading to me I'm only going off these pictures from the seller. Thank you in advance for any help. Trevor View attachment 1086478 View attachment 1086479 View attachment 1086480 View attachment 1086481 View attachment 1086482 View attachment 1086483

Trevor, that is a pair of very nice vintage knives, used but not abused, that's how I love to find them, congratulations.