Old Swiss Army

[Rifleman]

Just won this on eBay.I know it's rough,but I have never seen one for sale around here.It should clean up some.Anybody know how to date these?I know it's based on the original 1890 soldier's knife but that's it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... OC:US:1123

[stressmaster5000]

It is probably WWII or earlier. The screwdriver is the primary marker in my age guess on this knife. The screwdriver has changed over the years to include a sharpened wire cutter edge on one side and have various beveled edges and tapered tips. The older ones are like yours being more blocky and straight.

The Elsener Schwyz marking indicates the modern "Victorinox" company manufactured the knife.

The "P" means it was bought by an individual rather than being an actual Army issued knife. Normally if this was Army issued then there would be a 2 digit date code in place of the "P". The scales are a type of fiber and usually they warp and shrink due to age. You could spend some time cleaning and buffing the blades and springs for it to look really nice. I have also seen much success where folks replace the scales with wood or some other material.

Here are a few photos of mine and links to others.

https://picasaweb.google.com/stressmast ... directlink

[Iron Hoarder]

If you go over to www.britishblades.com and ask Jaydar (or just read his posts) he will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about any Swiss Army Knife. He is a bit of an expert. I meant to post this sooner but it took me a week to remember his name.

[Rifleman]

Thanks folks.Here's what I've found out so far.This is a Model 1908.They began using stainless blades and dating them in 1921.This one has carbon blades,so I assume it was made before 1921.Info from Swiss Rifles board.