Vintage German 4 Blade Utility

[kootenay joe]

A 3 3/4" Wester & Co Gesetzlich Geschutz 4 blade Utility just sold by auction on ebay for $415. https://www.ebay.com/itm/OLD-VINTAGE-AN ... 7675.l2557
The seller is an AAPK member so maybe he will chime in.
I used to collect old German Multiblades and have sold most of them by auction on ebay. Very few people collect these so selling prices tend to be low, often about $30.
Is there something unique or special about this knife that drove the price to more than 10 times expected value ? ("expected = my expectation)
kj
I tried to save a picture from the listing but cannot find it in my computer to post it here. Maybe someone more skilled can bring a picture from the listing to here.

[Reverand]

A nice looking knife, if a little worn. I am guessing that this is a rare example? I am unfamiliar with the name.

[just bob]

Very strange indeed. We usually only see counterfeit knives bringing that kind of money here on AAPK.

[cody6268]

First of all, I bid. My max bid was like $40, however.


I theorize that it could be an M1890 Swiss Soldier's Knife (or perhaps a civilian model based on such); though this is just a theory. Wester Bros. had the first contract (for 15,000) in 1890 before Karl Elsener (whose company evolved into Victorinox), got the contract and it became Swiss-made only, which remains to this date. The Wester Bros, then 130 years later, would be really rare, and few of those 15,000 probably survive, and WAY fewer of those probably made it to the USA (which is my problem in finding a good WWII-dated M1908). But, if so, where's the Waffenkontrol stamp (usually a cross) in a square or circle with "W-K" inside).

https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php? ... ldier+1890

[kootenay joe]

Thank you Cody. A member here sent me this link: https://www.couteaux-du-soldat-suisse.c ... deles-1890. It gives similar information to that in link provided by Cody.
So this knife is an early example of the first model of the "Swiss Army Knife". Wester Co. in Solingen Germany was one of the early manufacturers before they became made in Switzerland.
I had two of the 1890 models, made by Elsener Schwyz but with the red 'fibrox' handles. These got sold for me on ebay and only brought in a few dollars.
I think this ebay seller was lucky that 2 knowledgeable bidders saw his listing and knew what this knife is and both really wanted it.
There likely are more 'out there' that will get listed on ebay but without enough info posted to bring them up in a search. Hopefully i will recognize it if i see another example.
kj

[SwedgeHead]

Came across this post while wondering why I see so few posts on Swiss Army knives, and starting searching for Elsener instead.
At the risk of ressurrecting an old discussion on you guys, I thought i could add a little to the last two posts here.

From what I see, this is indeed an original 1890 Wester& Co, 1st edition of the Swiss Soldier Knife. (grand-daddy of the Swiss Army Knive)
Cody, the WaffenKontrol stamp is there, its a light outline of a cross you can make out towards the can opener end of the handle and is correct for this knife making it fairly rare, seen them go for big bucks in old listings, but they don't come up often.

Koot', if indeed you have the next in line early Elsener red fiber, that might be what folks call a 1901 model and possibly the rarest of the Swiss Soldier knives, but they are easily confused with later editions so check it out, you may have a something special there.

And in general Hello all, I didn't expect this to be my 1st post but it pulled me in !
I've enjoyed so much of the info being shared here and I've made a couple deals with some of you in the store.
My interests aren't just in SAKs, but really in anything old and kool - but I'll get to a proper introduction and start joining the ranks.

[New_Windsor_NY]

Came.....

SAK's
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=20319

[Reverand]

Came across this post while wondering why I see so few posts on Swiss Army knives, and starting searching for Elsener instead.
At the risk of ressurrecting an old discussion on you guys, I thought i could add a little to the last two posts here.

From what I see, this is indeed an original 1890 Wester& Co, 1st edition of the Swiss Soldier Knife. (grand-daddy of the Swiss Army Knive)
Cody, the WaffenKontrol stamp is there, its a light outline of a cross you can make out towards the can opener end of the handle and is correct for this knife making it fairly rare, seen them go for big bucks in old listings, but they don't come up often.

Koot', if indeed you have the next in line early Elsener red fiber, that might be what folks call a 1901 model and possibly the rarest of the Swiss Soldier knives, but they are easily confused with later editions so check it out, you may have a something special there.

And in general Hello all, I didn't expect this to be my 1st post but it pulled me in !
I've enjoyed so much of the info being shared here and I've made a couple deals with some of you in the store.
My interests aren't just in SAKs, but really in anything old and kool - but I'll get to a proper introduction and start joining the ranks.

Welcome to AAPK! Glad to have you here with us. I hope that you find plenty to discuss here, and that you show off pictures of your own knives. We love pictures!
Unfortunately this thread it a couple of years old, and some of the people on it are no longer with us. But there are plenty of very knowledgeable folk here who are always willing to share what they know.

[bestgear]

Koot', if indeed you have the next in line early Elsener red fiber, that might be what folks call a 1901 model and possibly the rarest of the Swiss Soldier knives, but they are easily confused with later editions so check it out, you may have a something special there.

to AAPK! Sadly, on September 8, 2022 Kootenay Joe (Roland) was called home but his legacy lives on here through his posts and pics. We look forward to your future posts and pictures.