Schrade info

[trlrider77]

I was looking through some old stuff tonight and came across this knife. It was my Pap Paw's old knife. I was just wanting a little info. is there anyway to date a Schrade? I'm not very good a taking pics so this is the best I could come up with. The tang stamp says: SCHRADE N.Y. USA 881Y. I don't ever intend an parting with this knife under any circumstances. Last thing, should I leave it the way it is or try and polish it and clean it up?

[El Lobo]

I'm going to suggest you post this in Knife Lore...as there are some really knowledgeable Schrade folks hanging out there.

Nice knife.

Bill

[Codger_64]

I first see the #881 listed in my 1953 catalogs though, no doubt, this 4" three bladed Premium Stock knife traces it’s roots to earlier Schrade Cutlery Company patterns. The base #881 with stagged bone covers is listed along with the #881Y with Maize (yellow) plastic covers from the 1954 Schrade Walden listing. The old SCC number referenced in the 1953 ans 1954 catalogs is #8815, and it is called “Premium Stock Knife, Texas Pattern”, with the classic clip, sheepfoot, and spey blades, nickle silver shield and bolsters, brass linings, large blade polished one side. By 1961, the stagged bone of the 881 had been replaced by “Unbreakable Staglon”.

The last catalog appearance for these two patterns was in 1986, when they were dropped from the ever-thinning open stock line. In that last year of listing, slightly less than 6,000 each of the 881 and 881Y were shipped. Other than the remaining 3,500 881Y shipped in 1987, only a few warranty replacements were shipped the next few years. In 1991 although it did not appear in the regular catalog, Schrade made a one year only run of about 20,000 of the 881, shipping 18,000. The remaining 1,800 knives shipped the next year. There was not a second run of the 881Y pattern that I could find, so it’s last year of production was 1987.

[El Lobo]

On the other hand...

You just might get some good information right here, as well.

Bill

[upnorth]

Don't clean and polish it please!! It took years to collect its history, and you can wipe it out in minutes!! Think of all the stories it can tell about your ancestor; you can imagine how it got every scratch and nick!
Put it in a shadowbox with some other artifacts. If you think it's a treat to look at now, think of looking at in years to come. Write down its history, and stick it in the box too!
My 2 cents!

[Codger_64]

I agree with upnorth. You are lucky to have a true "heritage" knife. A shadowbox with the relative's photo, maybe a signature would be priceless. Oil it and wipe it down, but that is all. I forgot to give you the age. It was made after mid 1973.

Codger

[trlrider77]

Thanks for all the info. I found it in an old box I had put up. I think I'll go with what you all said and just oil it down and keep it the way it is. Thanks again.