Pole Dancing Bear Tang Stamp - Hessenbruch Knife

dsutton24

dsutton24

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Apr 9, 2018
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Okay, not really... The bear is on the pile side.

This one has resisted identification. Goin's and Levine haven't turned up anything definitive. It's a Hawkbill Jack, probably from the 30s. Iron liners, attached nickel silver bolsters, dark wood scales, and a used but remarkably good for its age blade. The tang stamp is a capital R in a keystone outline, and the pile side mark is the aforementioned sleazy bear.

Any ideas?

https://imgur.com/8qZVJb2

https://imgur.com/pNntyoa

https://imgur.com/Trf5BE2
 
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The R in a keystone was a company out of philly called Rumpp. They sold a variety of things but specialized in leather goods. I've seen the trademark before and it was fun to dig into it again thanks.

C.F. Rumpp & Sons purveyor of fine leather goods.

I can't explain the sleezy bear... Or rat... Or whatever it is .. 😭🤣🤣
 
dsutton24 said:
A leathergoods company named Rumpp, and whose trademark is a lewd bear? Wow, talk about yer home runs!
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No rumpp is the keystone... The bear is Hessenbruch & Co. according to the link in post #3. They would have made the knife for Rumpp I suppose
 
From Goin's Encyclopedia:

T. Hessenbruch & Co. c. 1873 - 1906. This firm was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Herman Hessenbruch was the manager from 1889 to about 1906.

The name of the firm was changed at that time to the H. Hessenbruch Company. The "Will (bear) Inspection" trademark was used for both company names.

Thus, the bear stamp on the pile side. H. Hessenbruch was in business from 1906 - 1926.
 
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Very nice! I guess we should look for some Rumpp catalogs in that date range to see if they issued them. Maybe general ephemera if they didn't.

Could be fun. I love this stuff.
 
RickHuf said:
Very nice! I guess we should look for some Rumpp catalogs in that date range to see if they issued them. Maybe general ephemera if they didn't.

Could be fun. I love this stuff.
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I love it too, I'm kind of an information junkie, and old knives provide plenty of opportunity to dig through the cobwebs. It appears that my 30s date estimate was probably off by a decade or two.
 
I really enjoy these "detective" threads, especially when one or more people manage to "solve the mystery"!
Informative, entertaining, and a wonderful illustration of what a knowledgeable and helpful community exists on The Porch! :thumbsup::cool::thumbsup: 🤓

- GT
 
5K Qs said:
I really enjoy these "detective" threads, especially when one or more people manage to "solve the mystery"!
Informative, entertaining, and a wonderful illustration of what a knowledgeable and helpful community exists on The Porch! :thumbsup::cool::thumbsup: 🤓

- GT
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Well, don't forget that I'm the guy who posted that CASE stands for Can Anyone See Elephants.

Probably not my finest hour.
 
Fascinating information. Modern makers should take note and start putting random stampings on pile sides so future generations will ask "what is this?".
 
abcdef said:
Fascinating information. Modern makers should take note and start putting random stampings on pile sides so future generations will ask "what is this?".
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I think they already do so. Many knife designers' insignias are nothing but a riddle for an unknowledgeable mind.
 
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