Use this chart to translate visible Case tang stamp traits into a likely production era. It covers normal-production folding knife stamps, including Tested XX, CASE XX, U.S.A. pre-dot marks, 1970s dots, 1980s lightning-S dots, and modern X-and-dot systems.
Search visible words, symbol systems, and year ranges. Keep worn or partial stamps conservative.
11 eras shownRegular-production folding knives only
Early Bradford and Case family stamps
Treat the stamp as an early-era clue, not an exact year decoder.
1905-1920
Bradford, PA maker textCase Brothers, W.R. Case & Sons, or early arched Case marksno U.S.A. lineno dot dating symbols
Dating rule
Treat the stamp as an early-era clue, not an exact year decoder.
Confirm with construction, shield, handle material, and pattern details before assigning a narrow date.
Confidence note
Pre-1920 marks have many legitimate variations and are also commonly misread when worn.
Case Tested XX era
Use the Tested XX wording as a broad 1920-1940 production signal.
1920-1940
CASE TESTED XX or similar Tested XX wordingplain steel-stamp look without U.S.A. lineno dots or X date symbolsoften called Tested or circle-C era by collectors
Dating rule
Use the Tested XX wording as a broad 1920-1940 production signal.
Do not infer a single year unless another dated feature or provenance supports it.
Confidence note
Some references extend individual Tested-style stamps a few years beyond the clean 1920-1940 range.
Case XX era
Use CASE XX without dot dating as a broad 1940-1964 clue for folding knives.
1940-1964
CASE XX wordingno U.S.A. line on most pocket-knife stampsno dot dating symbolsno lightning-bolt S
Dating rule
Use CASE XX without dot dating as a broad 1940-1964 clue for folding knives.
Separate late-1940s and 1950-1964 variants only when the exact stamp style is visible.
Confidence note
Collectors may split this era differently by stamp variant, shield, and construction details.
CASE XX U.S.A. pre-dot era
CASE XX over U.S.A. with no dots generally points to 1965-1969.
1965-1969
CASE XX over U.S.A.round C stylenormal S shapeno dots below U.S.A.
Dating rule
CASE XX over U.S.A. with no dots generally points to 1965-1969.
If dots are present below U.S.A., use the 1970-1979 dot rule instead.
Confidence note
Light wear or shallow stamping can hide the dot row on early 1970s knives.
1970s round-C dot dating
Ten dots indicate 1970; one dot was removed each year through one dot in 1979.
1970-1979
CASE XX over U.S.A.round C stylenormal S shapedots below U.S.A.
Dating rule
Ten dots indicate 1970; one dot was removed each year through one dot in 1979.
Count only intentional dot symbols, not pitting, rust spots, or blade scratches.
Confidence note
This is one of the more reliable Case dating systems when the full dot row is visible.
1980s lightning-S dot dating
Ten dots indicate 1980; one dot was removed each year through one dot in 1989.
1980-1989
CASE XX and U.S.A. wordingsquare C stylelightning-bolt S in CASE and often U.S.A.dots above or between the logo and U.S.A.
Dating rule
Ten dots indicate 1980; one dot was removed each year through one dot in 1989.
Use the lightning-bolt S to separate this decade from the similar 1970s dot system.
Confidence note
Some 1980s stainless stamps arrange dots around SS wording, so count the dating symbols rather than their exact spacing.
Actual-year stamped transition
Use the stamped year when it is plainly present on the tang.
1990-1993
CASE XX and U.S.A. wordingactual year numerals such as 1990, 1991, 1992, or 1993no normal dot countdown on most regular-production exampleslate square-C or transition styling
Dating rule
Use the stamped year when it is plainly present on the tang.
Treat 1993 as a transition year because Case returned to dot dating during the year.
Confidence note
Small year numerals can be mistaken for pattern digits or blade etches on poor photos.
1993-1999 long-tail-C dot dating
Regular-production dot dating resumes in mid-1993 and counts down through 1999.
1993-1999
long-tail C in CaseCASE XX and U.S.A. wordingdot symbols used again after the mid-1993 transitionsome examples keep a lightning-style S in U.S.A.
Dating rule
Regular-production dot dating resumes in mid-1993 and counts down through 1999.
Use the long-tail C and production context before interpreting the dot count.
Confidence note
Mid-1993 is ambiguous because both actual-year and dot-dated stamps exist.
2000s X and dot dating
Start from five Xs and five dots in 2000.
2000-2009
Case XX logo with long-tail Cmix of X symbols and dots above and below the logofive Xs and five dots on the 2000 base stampno plain U.S.A.-only dot row
Dating rule
Start from five Xs and five dots in 2000.
One dot is removed each year from 2001 through 2005; one X is removed each year from 2006 through 2009.
Confidence note
Count X and dot symbols as dating marks, not decorative separators.
2010s X and dot dating
Start from five Xs and five dots in 2010.
2010-2019
Case XX logo with a 2010s layoutX symbols and dots above and below the logofive total Xs and five total dots on the 2010 base stampmodern production tang finish
Dating rule
Start from five Xs and five dots in 2010.
One dot is removed each year from 2011 through 2015; one X is removed each year from 2016 through 2019.
Confidence note
The 2010s layout resembles the previous decade, so compare logo shape and symbol placement before choosing the era.
2020s ten-dot dating
Ten dots indicate 2020; one dot is removed each year through the 2029 model year.
2020-2029
modern CASE XX markten-dot style returned for 2020dots removed one per yearno long-tail C on the normal 2020s stamp
Dating rule
Ten dots indicate 2020; one dot is removed each year through the 2029 model year.
Use this only for current-production style stamps, not vintage stamps with older dot placement.
Confidence note
Modern knives are easier to date by packaging, catalog number, or retailer records when available.
Decode before you estimate value
A stamp era is only one valuation input. Pattern number, handle material, blade loss, snap, cleaning, cracks, box, and comparable sales can move the range more than the date alone.
Estimates are informational, not certified appraisals. Advertising may appear on this page, and eBay comparison links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you when affiliate tracking is available.