Javascript required
Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer

How to Tell How Old a Case Knife Is

Throughout the long history of W. R. Case & Sons, there have been many different stamps used on its knives. These stamps are located on the tang of the master blade, and can be used to help identify when the knife was manufactured.

Below is a picture of where the stamp is located, along with the most common stamps and the years that they were used. Keep in mind that a knife's tang stamp alone cannot be relied upon for a 100% positive identification of age.

There are counterfeits out there, so knowing other details about knives of various eras is also important. Shields, bone & other handle cover colors & styles, jigging patterns, hafting techniques & more can be used for further validation.

Shopping trusted sites & trusted knife dealers is something we highly recommend to all beginner & intermediate collectors. Thankfully, we have trusted sellers in the AAPK member stores where you can buy with confidence. Shop for Case knives in our stores now!

Case XX knife date stamp

Pre-1920

Pre 1920 Case XX tang stamps

The above stamps were the most common used by Case on knives that were manufactured in the years prior to 1920.

1920-1940 (some say 1919 – 1945)

Case XX tang stamps used 1920 - 1940

You will find that most books date this stamp as being used from 1920 to 1940. I have found that many serious knife collectors disagree with this date range and say that it was actually used from 1919 to 1945. It has been my experience that collectors call knives with these stamps "Tested" or "Circle C" era knives.

1940-1964 (some say 1945 – 1964)

Tang Stamp used between 1940 and 1964

You will find that most books date this stamp as 1940 – 1964. I have found that many serious knife collectors say that it was actually used from 1945 – 1964. It has been my experience that collectors call knives with these stamps "XX" era knives.

1945-1950

Tang stamp used 1945 - 1950

1950-1964

Case XX Stamp used between 1950 and 1964

1965-1969

Case knife tang stamp used 1965 - 1969

1970-1979

1970's Case XX knife tang stamp

The stamps used from 1970-1979 are the same as those used between 1965-1969 except that dots were added below the U.S.A. 10 dots were added in 1970, and for every year thereafter, one dot was removed so that each year had a unique stamp. For clarification, note that ten dots appear on 1970 knives, nine dots appear in 1971 knives, eight on 1972 knives, and so on.

1980-1989

1980s case Knife stamp

Throughout the 1980's, Case used the same dating system as the 70's. 1980 knives have 10 dots, and one is removed each year. Unlike 70's knives however, the s's are lightening shaped, and the dots are located between the Case XX, and the U.S.A.

1990-1993

Missing dot tang stamps

Beginning in 1990, Case replaced the dating system with a stamp that imprinted the actual date on the knife tang. This was not as popular with collectors, so Case changed back to the dot dating system in the middle of 1993.

1993 -1999

Later 1990s Case XX tang stamps

From the middle of 1993 to 1999, Case returned to the dot system that was used in the 70's and 80's. Case also returned to using a long tailed C on the word Case which resembled the older tang stamps. The dots started in 1993, and one was removed for every year until 2000. On some knives in this era, the S in U.S.A. is lightening shaped like those in the 80's.

2000 – 2009

Case XX tang stamps used after 1999

In 2000, Case developed a dating system using an old style Case XX stamp along with a mix of dots and x's both above the Case XX symbol and below. Case started with 5 x's, and 5 dots in 2000. For each year thereafter, they removed one dot. When all of the dots were gone after 2005, the x's were removed one by one until 2010.

2010 – 2019

Case XX tang stamps used after 2010

For the year 2010, Case switched to a tang stamp dating system similar to the prior decade (2000 – 2009).  The 2010 stamp started with 3 xs, 2 dots on top & 2 xs 3 dots on bottom.  One dot removed for each year up to and including 2015.  For each year thereafter, one x removed each year.  2019 knives will have a single x.

Have Knives to sell? We offer exciting selling opportunities!

If you are a regular seller of knives, you definitely need to check out our knife specific retail platform. It is an extraordinary venue for buying & selling knives. Inventory turnover is great & the commission rate is incredibly low. Visit our getting started selling page to learn more!

If you are not a knife retailer & just have a few knives, or a collection of knives you want to sell; many of our members buy knives & knife collections of all sizes. If you would like to get offers, contact us & tell us what you've got. We'll pass your info on to the many buyers who may be interested.

How to Tell How Old a Case Knife Is

Source: https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/content/knife-manufacturer-specific-research/case-knife-reference-guide/case-knife-age-identification/