Year range for original Huntsman?

[Sazabi]

I found a battered original Huntsman, but I'm having difficulty finding the years of production; it has a clip point small blade, grooved corkscrew, eyeless awl, and screwed together scissors.  All I can figure out is that it's pre-1991 for the parts other than the small blade.  On SAKwiki, the small blade was changed over in 1975, was it not?  If that's the case, then shouldn't the liners be brass, not aluminum?  Only the keyring attachment liner is brass. :/

Another problem I'm having is that the eco scales have the current Victorinox shield on them; I didn't realize it was used that far back.  Yes, it could've been rescaled (in fact, I'll need to reattach the scales, anyway; they're peeling away from the liners :/), but I'd just like some answers. ^^;

And yes, I purchased it with the intent of cleaning it up and giving it new life. :3





The bottle opener is closed, but the other tools are splayed; I didn't feel like ruining my still-weak thumbnail. ^^;  Thank you.

[Gareth]

I noticed it's the older 5 twist corkscrew as well.  Sorry to say I'm not very good at dating SAKs but these pages might help if you've not seen them.

http://e-webtechnologies.com/sak/Victorinox_SAK_History_Urs_Wyss_-_Updated_12_FEB_08.pdf

http://www.e-webtechnologies.com/sak/Victorinox_Stampings___Trademarks_-_Update_12FEB08.pdf

I'd say there is a good chance yours has a  pre-1974 tang stamp.  Just a guess though, am I right?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Regardless of it's age, it looks great

[Gareth]

Regardless of it's age, it looks great

Good point. 

[duder]

I have a Victorinox booklet that says that the small blade shape changed in 1973 and the scissors-spring got the new V-shaped form in 1975. But I have an old huntsman too that has the old small blade but the new scissors-spring. Maybe they had some old small blades left over...
The hole in the awl was added in 1985. The alu-liners were introduced in 1951.
I would guess it was made between 1975 and 1985.

[Craig]

Regardless of it's age, it looks great

Good point. 

It does look good

[nuphoria]

That's sounds about right from my limited knowledge but I reckon you need Neil 

[stressmaster5000]

First off the year a certain part was discontinued is not necessarily an absolute. According to Victorinox personnel some older parts were still being used to produce newer models of knives far after they were discontinued. As far as the Huntsman, not really sure when it was first called that but I have  a mid-1940's model of this knife. Here is an image of a Victorinox flyer for 1967 that has the Huntsman named.


OH, and looking at the back of your knife you can see it is a "Victoria" tang stamped model making it more likely a late 1960's or early 1970's knife.

Another thing, the liners were never brass on a regular cellidor production model. Prior to 1951 the liners were made of nickel-silver. These knives are easy to spot since they are much heavier and much harder making them more durable. There were some Alox models produced with brass liners but there has never been any confirmation of date ranges or models they were produced in.

[duder]

It`s interessting to see that some knives in the flyer have the new awl and some still have the old style awl (if I see that right).
But I still think the knife was produced in 1975 or later because of the new style scissors-spring. They could have used some older parts like the small blade or a large blade with the older stamp (as you said).

[stressmaster5000]

It`s interessting to see that some knives in the flyer have the new awl and some still have the old style awl (if I see that right).
But I still think the knife was produced in 1975 or later because of the new style scissors-spring. They could have used some older parts like the small blade or a large blade with the older stamp (as you said).

The problem is that ANYONE can replace the scissors spring with a little practice or assistance so I would question if that scissors spring is original to the knife? I have seen plenty of mid-1970's knives with the small clip point blade but no Victoria tang stamp, however I have yet to see a Victoria tang stamp knife with the small spear point blade, thereby I conclude that this knife with several indicators pointing that it is probably older.

[Sazabi]

I've never seen a small blade stamp for any of my Victorinox knives; as for the reverse of the main blade, yes, it does say Victoria on it. ^^

I'm definitely looking forward to cleaning it up; definitely need to replace the key ring, though. o.o;

I think I purchased it for... ten dollars?  Maybe?  I wish I could've gotten it a bit cheaper, given its condition, but alas, it should look quite nice with some TLC.

Looking at the reverse stamp on the tang, the main blade, at least, was produced between 1968-1974.

[Edit:  blame hunger on the misreading. ^^;]

[Neil]

I wouldn't complain at $10. Its age makes it an interesting knife and certainly worth the money you paid 

I'm going for '68 to '73 based on its various attributes.  I also reckon the spring is a red herring as they're so easily replaced.

I hope you really enjoy cleaning it up.

[Sazabi]

Thank you, Neil; I'll be cleaning it up along with some typical maintenance on my new Salesman from WH867, oh, and my old BSA Tinker. ^^

[Gareth]

I may not know all my dating clues, but I make good guesses.