Yard sale find - Case

Rupestris

Rupestris

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Mar 1, 2006
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I went yard sailing this morning. Stopped at one that had a few tools and fishing gear so I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask - "you wouldn't have any knives you'd like to sell, would ya?"

The older gentlemen went in and came out with a small display case of very beat up old Sheffields, German Eye's and a couple Case knives worn to a nub.

I asked about a full size German Eye Trapper but he wanted $40 and it was more than I was looking to spend. I spotted one wrapped in the original paper. In it was a small Case.

I asked what he was looking to get and his answer was $15. I was a bit shocked to find a Case for that price still in the original paper so I didn't haggle and gave him the $15. It wasn't til I got home that I noticed that the pen blade looks like it was tipped. :(

There is no model number on it but it is stamped CASE Tested XX with the long tail C. If someone here could ID it I'd appreciate it. Letting me know I didn't over-pay would help too. :o

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Thanks,

Chris
 
Looks like a great find to my eyes. I'd gladly pay 15 for one like it.
 
$15 is a steal for a Case 1920-1940 knife in that condition! Great find! Sharpen and enjoy!

Oh yeah, this looks a premium pen or half stockman. Maybe a 6233?
 
Thanks for the votes of confidence. I kinda rationalized it by thinking I was only spending what a Rough Rider or a Mora would cost with S&H :).
 
texasflyfisher said:
$15 is a steal for a Case 1920-1940 knife in that condition! Great find! Sharpen and enjoy!

Oh yeah, this looks a premium pen or half stockman. Maybe a 6233?
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What TF said. Even with the blade being worked, its still a great knife , from a great era, at a really good price
 
Does indeed appear to be a 6233.

According to Sargent's, a mint Tested XX in green bone might fetch $275. In "rough black" scales (which is what yours look like to me from the image), $225.

So, in the condition you received it (as Luciano and Mike have said) it appears that you got yourself a nice knife to enjoy and a little piece of Case's history.

Also, it's now generally thought that the "Tested" era extends to the end of WWII per discussions with Bernard Levine.
 
Great find!

I'd put that original knife wrapper between two sheets of heavier paper, carefully iron it flat and store it or even frame it. Old knife wrappers are becoming valued collectibles in their own right.
 
Not to derail this thread but hoping to enhance it.
How would you go about getting an actual age on this knife?
 
protourist said:
Not to derail this thread but hoping to enhance it.
How would you go about getting an actual age on this knife?
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Mack, generally you can't. Unless a particular scale material was only offered during a limited period, or the pins were set up differently, or the tang stamp or something about the construction or grind was different, you can only guesstimate when a given knife from any "period' was built.

In this case, barring some specific information that might indicate otherwise, 1920-1946 is generally the best information you're going to have for a "Tested" era knife.
 
Blues said:
Mack, generally you can't. Unless a particular scale material was only offered during a limited period, or the pins were set up differently, or the tang stamp or something about the construction or grind was different, you can only guesstimate when a given knife from any "period' was built.

In this case, barring some specific information that might indicate otherwise, 1920-1946 is generally the best information you're going to have for a "Tested" era knife.
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Thanks I've often wondered.
 
As Blues said, a 6233, long pull master blade, but in green bone not rough black. 1920's to 1940's time frame.

That wrapper may or may not be original to the knife, they used the exact same wrapper from the Tested era through about the mid 1970's so there is no way to tell the age of a specific wrapper.
 
I had a garage sale today, with many knives and swords and axes for sale, sad thing was the only ones that got sold were a messed up m9 bayonet and a 2 dollar made in Taiwan knife I found. Even with great prices none of the quality stuff even got looked at. Granted most of the knives were used but some were for a third of the original prices,
 
knifeaholic said:
That wrapper may or may not be original to the knife, they used the exact same wrapper from the Tested era through about the mid 1970's so there is no way to tell the age of a specific wrapper.
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I was wondering about that Steve as I happened to have a 70's vintage wrapper laying in the closet that was identical.
(Looks like I better adjust the color on my monitor. Didn't look like the green bone I have on hand. In any case not much difference in the value either way...book or real world. )
 
shaw11b said:
I had a garage sale today, with many knives and swords and axes for sale, sad thing was the only ones that got sold were a messed up m9 bayonet and a 2 dollar made in Taiwan knife I found. Even with great prices none of the quality stuff even got looked at. Granted most of the knives were used but some were for a third of the original prices,
Click to expand...

People want something for nothing at yard sales.
 
Wow. Thanks again all. I really didn't expect it to be that old or have that much potential value (had it been mint).

(Mushy part) For $15 I got more than a knife. I learned quite a bit here and got a reminder that there are some great folks here that I can share my bit of good fortune with. Y'all are the best. Keep it up :thumbup:.

Chris
 
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