Info I found when researching about my Russell Barlow:
From Knife Forums:
Russell went out of business in 1932, since then all Russell knifes are commemorative and reproductions.
The original John Russell company used a number of tang stamps over the years - but never any curved markings. These came later when John Russell & Co merged with John Harrington Cutlery Co (Southbridge, Mass) in 1933 - combining factories and becoming Russell-Harrington -- which I think is still around, though they dropped all their pocketknife lines in 1941 as WW II was getting started.
The curved Russell and USA on the tang is from 1933-1941. Other curved Russell stamps are from this same period also. The classic RUSSELL straightline stamp was dropped in 1933.
Historical context of the Russell Barlow knife: ( I think Jon Slider created this info )
1797 John Russell born in Greenfield
1873 John Russell Cutlery Company formed, headed by Richard N. Oakman, Jr.
1874 John Russell dies in Greenfield
1876 Russell Barlow prototype introduced, using the straight line tang stamp RUSSELL
1890 W. P. Dustin becomes head of Russell Cutlery Co.
1914 to 1918 ww 1
1920 Prohibition
1920 Womens right to vote
1929 begin great depression
1933 End of Prohibition
1933 Russell merges with Harrington, begins using the Curved Russell tang stamp with Arrow thru the R
1941 End great depression, Pearl Harbor, US enters World War 2
1941 Russell Harrington stops making the Russell Barlow.
1945 US drops atomic bombs on Japan, end of World War 2
1950s Russell Harrington repairs barlows for members of the Barlow Bearcats, using a tang stamp with diamonds on each side of the R, instead of an arrow
1968 Colonial builds a Commemorative Russel Barlow set for Dexter-Russel, tang stamp had diamonds on both sides of the R
1971 German replica Russells appear, curved tang stamp has arrow through the R, some have long pull blades
1974 Schrade issues a Russell commemorative with Delrin scales, same knife as the scrolled bolster Schrade 206
It appears there were two re-productions attempted by German cutleries - one most likely being Eye Brand.
There is more information on AAPK forums about Russell Barlows.
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