What do I have here? (old Imperial)

[three50seven]

Hello. This is my first post, but I've been lurking around for a little while. I have been on a kick this last year or so of buying older American-made Schrade sheath knives, but I just stumbled upon this old Imperial in a drawer in my Dad's shop. I think it probably belonged to my Great-Grandfather originally, but I don't know how old it is. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Iron Hoarder]

It's a fish knife. Those are probably hollow shell bolsters and one piece scales with a sticker on them. There are a few people in the world that collect them. They were designed to be cheap affordable knives.

 

[edbeau]

If you look around http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/Imperial/Old Imperial Catalogs.htm you may find it.

 

[three50seven]

If you look around http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/Imperial/Old Imperial Catalogs.htm you may find it.

I looked around there, but I believe it's older than any of the catalogs they have in PDF format there. According to this article:

http://www.ehow.com/how_7900495_date-imperial-knives.html

The tang stamp indicates that it was made between 1916 and 1920. But I was hoping to find some more solid info.

 

[Codger_64]

Your knife was made much later than that. Your tang stamp was used c. 1956-88.

 

[thawk]

To follow up Codgers post.

 

[three50seven]

Thanks for the info guys. I talked to my Dad and he said he actually found that knife in the mid 1970's, which would make sense for the tang stamp.

 

[tongueriver]

Although designed for a very low price point, one gentleman on the forums assures us that these "shell" Imperials have excellent blades.

 

[lrv]

A flyer from 1973

While the blades were ok the tended to snap. I bit too thin Im thinking.
These were made for many many years.

 

[three50seven]

While the blades were ok the tended to snap. I bit too thin Im thinking.

Yep, as you can probably see the blade on mine has been broken and re-shaped.