This pattern is a multi-bladed knife that most collectors call a large or jumbo congress. It is the largest of the congress measuring 4 1/8". Case introduced them sometime prior to 1915 and later discontinued them after the 1978 production year. Almost all have four blades, but some were manufactured with two or three. Many of the 2-bladed 88 patterns were manufactured prior to 1940, but a few special issue 2-blade congresses were manufactured after that. Most of the three-blade 88 patterns were manufactured by W.R. Case and Sons prior to 1915. The four-bladed 88 pattern is the most common. They generally have a sheepfoot master blade, along with a pen, spear, and coping blade.

THANKS FOR POSTING THE PIC OF THE 88 NOW I KNOW THAT I HAVE THE PARTS JUST HEAT TREATED FOR ONE OF THESE IN THE 5 BLADE VERSION. THIS IS JUST A GREAT LOOKIN PATTERN. I JUST HOPE THAT I CAN MAKE IT LOOK THIS GOOD. THANKS JACK DAVENPORT.