Help me ID this knife

[herrwalther]

I found this knife when cleaning out my grandmother's house after she passed away almost 20 years ago. My grandfather started carrying it as his pocket knife sometime around 1930, according to my mother. The handle looks like it is mother of pearl. The blades were heavily tarnished when I found it. My young and stupid self took off the rust with a sandpaper wheel on a Dremel (I know I know, stupid.) Other than that the metal feels very soft, so I tend to believe it is iron or a steel with a very high iron content.

There are no markings as to the brand. The large blade is simply stamped "USA" The small blade has 3 rows of numbers "2284833" "2689400" and "2479855"

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

That main blade looks like something from Hammer Brand. I have a small ‘30’s mini-trapper that has that same blade on it.

What are the dimensions fully open and fully closed? Are there any markings on the back sides of the blades?

If the three numbers are patent numbers, those patents are dated 1942, 1954, and 1949, respectively. So i dont think the time frame fits. But there are lots of companies who could have made that knife. Hammer, Ulster, Keen Kutter, Camillus, etc. Sometimes they private-labeled knives contracted with a company run by some folks named Kastor.

 

[herrwalther]

What are the dimensions fully open and fully closed? Are there any markings on the back sides of the blades?

Overall length is 6" closed is 3.5" No other markings besides the patent numbers and the USA stamp. My mother was born in 1961, grandfather was born in 1911. I don't expect her memory of her father with this knife to be completely accurate.

 

[hso]

The large blade is simply stamped "USA"

Nothing at all on the ricasso on the other side of the blades? Send a picture anyway to give us some more information.

 

[hso]

Those are Imperial patents.

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/54/6c/b7/d68d9bfa77476e/US2479855.pdf

 

[herrwalther]

Nothing at all on the ricasso on the other side of the blades? Send a picture anyway to give us some more information.

Nope.

 

[sparkyv]

Those are Imperial patents.

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/54/6c/b7/d68d9bfa77476e/US2479855.pdf

VERY cool!

 

[If1HitU]

I'd just keep it.what ever name brand it is.

 

[herrwalther]

I'd just keep it.what ever name brand it is.

I certainly am. There are very few things I was allowed to keep from my grandfather's house. This knife and his Knights of Columbus sword are some of the only things I got from the vulture swarm that is my family.

 

[jar]

I found this knife when cleaning out my grandmother's house after she passed away almost 20 years ago. My grandfather started carrying it as his pocket knife sometime around 1930, according to my mother. The handle looks like it is mother of pearl. The blades were heavily tarnished when I found it. My young and stupid self took off the rust with a sandpaper wheel on a Dremel (I know I know, stupid.) Other than that the metal feels very soft, so I tend to believe it is iron or a steel with a very high iron content.

There are no markings as to the brand. The large blade is simply stamped "USA" The small blade has 3 rows of numbers "2284833" "2689400" and "2479855"

Those patent numbers were held by Imperial IIRC. Google US patent number and the number to see what they cover.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

So. Mid-50’s Imperial trapper with stamped slanted bolsters and celluloid handle.

It’s a cool knife that I’d be happy to pack.