Russell Green River Works

Hello, I am new to the forum. Thank you for inviting me. I was surfing the net to find some information on a dagger knife that I had just picked up from a collection from Idaho. It has stamped on blade Russell Green River Works with two diamonds. It looks to be very old and in pretty good condition. I have yet to find one like it so I can date it. The balde is 9" and the overall length is 15". Any help would be appreciated. Thank you Bill

Are there any Russell knife experts on here that could share their knowledge with me? Thanks Bill

bmillcwc said:

Are there any Russell knife experts on here that could share their knowledge with me? Thanks Bill

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I'm no expert, but I have a Russell knife I have researched with some success by contacting the modern iteration of the Russel company, Dexter-Russell, Inc.
I contacted the company via their web page and spoke with Buck Raper, company historian and Engineering Manager, who is also a Russell collector. That was probably 10-12 years ago, don't know if that situation still exists.

The company is still on the web, here's a link to their contact page from today:

https://www.dexter1818.com/information/contact-us/

Spence

This is the opinion of a life long knife lover, collector and maker. I believe that your knife is a re-handled Green River blade, possibly a WW2 Theater knife. From the picture the rivets do not look factory nor are they evenly spaced. I would like to examine the finger guard, does it look like it was factory fitted? Most Green River knives that I have seen do not have a guard except for their Bowie which is of fairly modern vintage. I could be wrong but nevertheless it is a fine knife, I would love to have it in my collection

Can the Green River Works blade stampings be dated? I thought maybe Indian Wars time line, since the pommel has that look. Does the taper of the blade at the pommel help date it? I was told that the taper dates to around 1850's This is why I am on here. The expertise on this site is great.

George said:

I'm no expert, but I have a Russell knife I have researched with some success by contacting the modern iteration of the Russel company, Dexter-Russell, Inc.
I contacted the company via their web page and spoke with Buck Raper, company historian and Engineering Manager, who is also a Russell collector. That was probably 10-12 years ago, don't know if that situation still exists.

The company is still on the web, here's a link to their contact page from today:

https://www.dexter1818.com/information/contact-us/

Spence

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Thanks and I will try and contact him.