FYI - 1st Six Browning Knives Made in the USA Circa 1968

[Gumshoe]

When Browning first added knives to its catalog, I figured they might be valuable someday. So I bought one of each pattern and put them away in my gun safe. I bought the first one in 1968 and the rest over the next two years. They are all new, unused and in the box with papers.

From the top left to the right:

1. Pattern #4018, 4.5" fixed blade skinner.
2. Pattern #4518, 4" fixed blade.
3. Pattern #5518, 5.5 fixed blade.

Bottom left to the right:

4. Pattern #2518, 3.5" pocket knife.
5. Pattern #4018F, 4" folding knife.
6. Pattern #3018, 4 " pocket knife.

As I recall, they were made in Gunnison, Utah. In 1970, the two pocket knives were added to the line. The pocket knives were made in the USA for one year and then switched to a German factory in 1971.

There were some other Browning knives made in the USA for a few years, but these were the first six. I believe production switched to Japan about 1975.

Gumshoe

[knife7knut]

Nice collection! Browning knives to me have always been a bit under-rated as far as collectibility goes. They are really well made knives. I have a couple of USA made folders and a limited edition stag scaled hunter.