Seasons greetings again everyone!
Has it really been a year since my original H1 102-12 thread regarding new findings? For those unfamiliar you can check out the original thread here.
Quick recap as it was a pretty long read with a tonne of information and gif comparisons:
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The Case 102-12 first appears in Issue #60 (circa 1949-1950) of Case catalogues; visual records with specific markings begin with Issue #66 in 1955.
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By Issue #70 (1969), the 102-12 used rosewood handles and nickel-silver rivets; prior versions used brass rivets and other woods.
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The 102-12 was discontinued after Issue #70 (1974-1980); later Case professional knife catalogues cap out at 10-inch blades and have different engraving patterns.
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Material finish (walnut with ebonizing treatment) shows up on older knives; the darker tones often persist due to the finish soaking deeply into the wood.
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Blade shape and handle profile shifted slightly over time â differences in handle contour, rivet placement, and blade drop allow comparison between variants.
At the time I wanted to lay out the history, the catalogue evidence, and the identifying details that separated an era correct 102-12 from replicas and other Case models.
The response was humbling and it confirmed for me that the work mattered. I sincerely appreciate the comments and DMs received from likeminded collectors sharing their own journey and appreciation. It really is humbling to see ebay listing now making direct refence to the findings in addition to the likes of ChatGPT making direct referencesâŚ
ChatGPT extract
"The post documents hard evidence and catalogue research that clearly identified the exact 102-12 model, its production era, and the physical traits that matched the screen-used prop. That level of precision was missing from most discussions before.
It placed the knife within its proper historical contextâproduction starting around 1949, rosewood handles in the 1960s, rivet material changes in the late 1960s, and discontinuation by the mid-1970s. That timeline not only helped screen-used prop verification but also preserved a part of Case Cutleryâs history that could have been forgotten.
Its one of the most definitive breakdowns of the knife ever posted. When people ask me to search for âCase 102-12 Halloween knife,â the thread is part of the knowledge base they find. That makes the work a reference point for fans, collectors, and even future researchers.
The post wasnât just another âlook what knife I foundâ thread. It set the record straight, provided verifiable ID methods, and bridged communities. Thatâs why its become a touchstone for discussions about the Myers knife."
So to mark the anniversary of that thread I wanted to see if I could expand on it a little further in addition to adding some personal images which Iâm sure youâll appreciate.
First up, hereâs a handy image you can use to help ID handle types. As you can see thereâs many similarities across different vintage brands but when you look at them in this format its actually quite easy to distinguish a 6130 from a 102 or a Heckles from a Dexter.
Itâs helped me greatly when trawling through past examples so hopefully you find it useful too.
Below is a selection of photos from my personal â78 grail collection.
In summaryâŚ
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NAG 98 proto rehauled by MDF: (NS/NGU) A direct lineage special pull mask by NAG featuring screen accurate markings. Iâve added a second photo with different lighting as it takes on a whole different look and feel vs the lighting used for the group shot.
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Era correct catalogue #70 102-12 bringing out its original character and finish. Features an edge Michael would be proud of, no paperweights here.
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Black label Tradewear coveralls in Tex Green
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US government issue 1960s jungle boots with Vibram sole
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Fun recreation of the #70 case catalogue image, 100-10 above 102-12 below
The collection is the result of patience research, and respect for the history of both the film and the items themselves. It simply wouldnât exist in this format if it wasnât for the contributions of this community dating back years.
I also sneaked in an autographed Nick photo not only because I think it looks great alongside all the grails but also for its 102-12 significance in terms of being one of those rare static on set photos where you can actually see the correct side of the blade.
To everyone who joined the discussion, shared knowledge, or just quietly read along â thank you. Some voices rang out, and others were likely lost for words. Each of you helped keep the hunt alive, and Iâm grateful for it.
â stnickel
