Old Timey Wenger? Need a second opinion.

papercut · **on:** January 08, 2013, 04:09:27 AM

After being hoodwinked on my recent purchase of a vintage "Swiss Army Knife" that at first glance was a VIC, I am a bit gunshy about getting old timey models off the auction sites (it only put me out a bit over $3 so not as big of an issue). That being said, I did see an uncontested Old Timey Wenger pop up, this one with tang stamps. It seemed very close to this model:

The vendor claims it is a Wenger Delemont soldier's knife from the 60's with wood scales, which seems a bit late to me (and I love wood scales). So I took the bait, but not before doing some background checks.

Seemingly same Wenger model out there? Check
Wenger created the caplifter before Vic, so it might make the knife quite old. check
Tang stamps seem legit? Maybe
Knife shape seem ok? Maybe
Toolset consistent with actual models? check

What do you think? Is this a Genuine Wenger? A second opinion is welcome!

jrp316 · **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2013, 04:47:16 AM

It looks like the real deal from the tang stamp, though I don't recollect the tang stamp being on the small blade on most knives; should be on the main blade only, but that could've been the practice of the time.

ColoSwiss · **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2013, 04:52:49 AM

It appears to be a genuine old Wenger. The handle is pressed fiber, and dates the knife to before the mid-1940s. Wenger stamps on both blades are common for that era. Different versions exist with and without a shield, and with and without a bail. There are two different lengths - 91mm and 80mm.

papercut · **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2013, 05:01:59 AM

Wow, nice condition! Did you restore them? What would a safe de-rusting bath for the pressed fiber?

ColoSwiss · **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2013, 05:49:47 AM

Quote from: papercut on January 08, 2013, 05:01:59 AM

Wow, nice condition! Did you restore them? What would a safe de-rusting bath for the pressed fiber?

No, both those came that way. Something to keep in mind, as the one you're looking at is a bit rough. Better quality costs more, but when I buy junk, it just sits on the shelf and irritates me every time I look at it.

papercut · **Reply #5 on:** January 08, 2013, 06:16:53 AM

It was $30, which didn't seem to high. Was I ripped off?

ColoSwiss · **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2013, 06:35:31 AM

Quote from: papercut on January 08, 2013, 06:16:53 AM

It was $30, which didn't seem to high. Was I ripped off?

That's a great price for that knife.

Don't know if I would use the normal warm soapy water on the fiber handled knives. Instead a bit of light oil used with Q-tips and pipe cleaners and possibly a fine-bladed screwdriver to clean the gunk out of the interior. Oil and fine steel wool to clean rust off the blades. Be cautious about extending all blades at once. Old springs are sometimes brittle.

papercut · **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2013, 04:57:27 AM

Does this look like a stainless model? If so, that would date this from 192x to mid 1940s. Is there a tighter window this model could be placed?

MARIOS7319 · **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2013, 09:28:27 PM

Very nice find.

Yes it's a genuine Wenger, but it's the first time i see the tang stamp being on the small blade.

It's similar like my Wenger.

Do not use warm soapy water, it will ruin the handles.
Trust me, i had a bad experience with warm water on fiber handled knive.
As ColoSwiss said use only a bit of light oil.