Case
Case 6488 Large Congress, a "transition" knife refers to a rare variant produced during the shift between 1977 and 1978 that features mismatched date stamps on its blades.
Case 6488 Large Congress Transition Knife 1977-1978 ~ Delrin ~ Vintage
$249.00
Current stock:
1
Case Large Congress Transition Knife 1977-1978 ~ Delrin ~ Vintage
Transition Characteristics
- Mismatched Tang Stamps: These knives were typically assembled using leftover blades from the previous year. You will often find a 1977 stamp (3 dots) on some blades and a 1978 stamp (2 dots) on others within the same handle.
- Blade Configuration: The 6488 pattern always features four blades: a master Sheepfoot, a Spear, a Coping, and a Pen blade.
- Steel Type: During this era, Case utilized both Chrome Vanadium (CV) carbon steel and Stainless Steel (SS).
- Handle Materials: While "6" in the pattern 6488 denotes bone, transitions from this specific period are frequently found with Delrin synthetic handles.
Identifying the Transition
To verify a transition 6488, use the Case Tang Stamp Guide to count the dots under "U.S.A.":
- 1977: 3 dots.
- 1978: 2 dots.
- Transition Status: Confirmed if the master blade and secondary blades have different dot counts from these two specific years.
- Never used, carried or sharpened
- No box
- Condition is near mint , minor patina , see all photos
