Boker U.S.A. "Spirit of America" Series

[trail]

Issued by Boker U.S.A. starting in 1974. 24 knives were issued, one every three months, until 1978. Willie posted one identical to mine except for the number on the tang a couple of years ago. http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 35&t=13087 I expect that the tang stamp is a serial number. Boker U.S.A. is stamped on the blade on the opposite end. There have been a few references over the years on AAPK, and I expect some of our Boker aficionados have complete sets. It would be interesting to try to get good pictures of all the knives in one place as a historical reference. Unfortunately the blade etch "Dawn of the Atomic Age" is worn off mine but otherwise the knife is in good shape. It's a large husky 4 inch stock knife that was introduced in April of 1976, according to Official Price Guide to Collector Knives, 14th edition. That was a big time for commemorative knives, with the Bicentennial celebrations in full swing.

EDIT to add picture of shield

EDIT - looking at the knife closely while cleaning it I found a stamp on the back of the tang of the main blade with the model number 1780 and a Boker tree.

[trail]

And here is a list of the 24 knives, with their issue dates, from Official Price Guide to Collector Knives, 14th Edition:

Sweet Land of Liberty, Stock, May 1974
American Eagle, Stock, July 1974
The Alamo, Texas Jack, September 1974
Prairie Schooner, Equal End Jack, December 1974
Statue of Liberty, Large Stock, February 1975
Dixie, Congress, April 1975
Last Frontier, Stock, July 1975
Old Wild West, Trapper, September 1975
Rise to World Power, Swell End Jack, November 1975
War to End All Wars, Serpentine Jack, February 1976
Dawn of the Atomic Age, Stock, April 1976
200 Years of Freedom, Stock, July 1976
Birth of Southern Industry, Congress, August 1976
Westward Expansion, Trapper, October 1976
Blazing the Trail, Premium Stock, December 1976
American Proclamation, Texas Jack, February 1977
California Gold Rush, Premium Stock, April 1977
Bridging the Continent, Premium Stock, June 1977
Modern Fuel, Jack, September 1977
Continental Mail Service, Congress, November 1977
Modern Energy, Whittler, December 1977
On to Oklahoma, Dogleg Jack, February 1978
Revolution in Transportation, Stock, April 1978
200 Million Americans, Premium Stock, June 1978

[JOHN RUSSELL]

I have owned the entire set of 24 bicentennial edition for over 25 years. Only out of the case to clean them once in a while. Will consider offers. Photos on request. John in Nebraska

[rangerbluedog]

1770

1771

1772

1773

1774

1775

[rangerbluedog]

1776

1777

1778

1779

1780

1781

[rangerbluedog]

SERIES II

1782

1783

1784

1785

1786

1787

[rangerbluedog]

1788

1789

1790

1791

1792

1793

[ncooley]

I've got the rise world power one in original box in plastic sleeve with the paperwork. What's it worth?

[rangerbluedog]

It depends on condition, but they are selling on eBay in the range of $20-$38.

[warpaper2013]

Just picked up 1789 for my Dad. Well, it's not here yet, but should be early this week. He retired from the postal service, and while he's no fan of the federal government, and really isn't that fond of the USPS any more, he's proud of the service he provided, as he's proud of his military service before that.

Until I found this one I didn't know this was a series. Now we're sort of on a mission to collect them all. Not as an investment, as we're used to being broke, but just as fuel for the habit/hobby.

[Capt. Farrel]

Just picked up four of those "Spirit of America"-knives. Here´s number one "Sutter´s Mill".
I wonder who made these knives, especially this one look so "Schrade" to me?
Certificate indicates that is is from 1977.

[Capt. Farrel]

#2 is the "Johnny Rebel" knife. Again Delrin handles and this slightly sloppy manufacture that might be fine for a user but not for a collectors knife. Oh well, this is how you "make up'" collectors knives in the first place....

[Capt. Farrel]

...and here´s the rest of the spirit knives. Definitely not my prized possessions but rare in Germany anyhow.

[rangerbluedog]

Nice going!
That's a good series to collect, because they can still be found at an affordable price.
They are typical 1970's USA quality - meaning not so much - hahaha.
I really like them though.

[Capt. Farrel]

hahahaha... so it wasn´t just me after all! Thank you blue!