no tang stamp queen?

r8shell · Mar 31, 2012

Hey guys, I picked up a pocketknife at a flea market today. It's a Queen Steel #2 with winterbottom scales. At least it might be. It has the etching on the main blade, but no tang stamp. Did they make any like that? I've been doing a little searching, but havent found any dating lists of tang stamps. I thought I'd ask here, since you guys seem to know everything! Thanks.

Boggs · Mar 31, 2012

r8shell...

Not to worry Queen Cutlery for a brief period to save cost didn't stamp the tang.....no tang stamp 1961-1971

r8shell · Mar 31, 2012

That was quick! Thank you so much.
I've just sort of discovered Queen knives, picked up a few at a show and really like them- though that D2 sure is hard to sharpen. No matter, when the guy said he'd take $5 for it I figured it was worth it even for a fake. Sounds like I got a good deal here.

edbeau · Apr 1, 2012

I picked up a Queen off the bay that has a tang stamp like the one that is listed as 1976 only except it has 78 so I assume it is a 1978. It is a Model 39 Rawhide Series but it has no etching on the main blade. It is my only Queen and I know nothing about Queen knives. Copy or real????

Boggs · Apr 1, 2012

edbeau.....

The etch was most likely removed since the Rawhide Series always had the etch,simple enough to do....but yes it's real

edbeau · Apr 1, 2012

Picked it up for $20.57 w/shipping because the seller was selling it for a friend and both did not know what the Q78 meant. I had looked at Queens but because of the price never bought one. What steel was used in 78? Could it be Queen Steel or D2?

Obsessed with Edges · Apr 1, 2012

edbeau said:
Picked it up for $20.57 w/shipping because the seller was selling it for a friend and both did not know what the Q78 meant. I had looked at Queens but because of the price never bought one. What steel was used in 78? Could it be Queen Steel or D2?

The knives marked 'Queen Steel' were 440C, apparently. While viewing this thread, I'm also looking at my copy of 'Official Price Guide to Collector Knives', by C. Houston Price. There's a note in here about Queen's 440C knives being originally marked as 'stainless', and were perceived by collectors as 'inferior' at the time (which is ironic to me; 440C is good stuff). So, the 'stainless' mark was discontinued, in favor of the 'Queen Steel' label, while retaining the use of the 440C.

The D2 blades are etched as 'Tool Steel', and you might also find 'PH-D2' on the tang of these knives.

Nixelplix · Apr 1, 2012

I've got this one with no stamp. I can see a part of an etch of a crown under the nail nick.

Boggs · Apr 1, 2012

David ......you're right on with your explanation and edbeau great pick up on the price

Boggs · Apr 1, 2012

David ......you're right on with your explanation and edbeau great pick up on the price
and
Josh a nice example of a #44 folding hunter pattern..they not all had a blade etch and were either a Q Stainless or Q Steel tang stamp

Gevonovich · Apr 1, 2012

Boggs
Thanks for posting the Queen tang stamp chart. I recently picked up an old Queen, or what I thought was a Queen, as the tang stamp only had what I thought was the Queen crown with some dots under it and only the N still remaining.
It was only a few bucks and I liked the bone so I got it. Its 4 inches closed
From your chart it appears it is a 1945 to 1948 vintage and all cleaned up, it is a beauty. The main blade had the tip broken off but I just ground it into a modified Wharnecliffe.
Here she is in all her glory( quick pic that does not do her justice) ...well I like it anyway.

Not sure of the blade steel? The bolsters are not nickel silver and might be steel? I guess during the war materials were in short supply.

Thanks to the OP for bringing up the topic!

Obsessed with Edges · Apr 2, 2012

Boggs said:
David ......you're right on with your explanation and edbeau great pick up on the price

Thanks Jim. I like these threads because, almost without fail, it makes me read a little bit more, and learn something new. I was never quite sure about the steel used in the 'Queen Steel' blades, until the question was asked in this thread. That prompted another look at my book. I'd previously assumed it was something along the lines of 440A, which isn't too bad. But 440C is even better. Assuming the heat treat was good on these knives, they should sharpen up nice.

edbeau · Apr 2, 2012

Thanks for the help on my knife. I was thinking it wasn't real because of the missing etch. Will have to really check the blade and see if I can see any etch left.