Officer, Standard or Spartan

[Corwyn]

So guys, I made a deal with a friend that I won't bid against him on an auction and he'd let me buy one of the two Officers in the package off him for 25 Euros.

Well he fell in love with the other Officer (great condition, clear logo, old style can opener...). And I have left this thing... it's far newer, (1946-1951 I think), with a Wenger-style opener, but new cap lifter, loose springs and cracked scales.

Would you call it an Officer, or a Standard (doubt it's a Spartan)? I'm kind of keen of seeing a Wenger-style can opener on a Vic and I've been looking for an Officer in my collection for ages...

Also, you reckon I should get it, and how much should I pay? (I'd get a LN Pocket Pal with sheath as bonus)...

[Sazabi]

The knife needs major TLC; the main blade needs reprofiling; the small blade has a recurve to it that it shouldn't have; and the tool as a whole needs a deep clean.  Eh, I personally would pass it up if I came across it at a flea market (even though I don't have one; I've done it before), but otherwise, maybe $5?

[derekmac]

I hate to say it, but I think it is too far gone to be worth much.

[ToolJoe]

  I'd avoid that like the plague and just buy a brand new spartan or a recruit.

[Corwyn]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Thanks for not letting me carried away. I guess it's far from being a gem..
Still waiting for more suggestions, but to be honest where you guys see trash, I see a challenge  If he'll sell it to me for 5 USD I'll get it and see if I can make something presentable out of it (paying shipment for the free Pocket Pal anyway)...

Further details:
The actual Officer I wanted (and he decided he will keep):


The Pocket Pal I'm getting as bonus:

[Crow]

I am more with you Corwyn. Get it. That SAK needs a chance. Maybe change big blade, or reprofile it. Make wooden scales for it, and it is usable toy.

[PTRSAK]

Looks like some of the oldies I'm fixing up at the moment. Anything with that old Awl is 60+ years old and unless completely trashed, deserves refurbishing/renovating even if only to become a user with a lot of history behind it.
They do look nice with wood or horn scales.

[jazzbass]

Looks like a regular 1950-ish Model 234U (missing the U) in really bad shape. IMO its a parts knife, especially with the main blade being as bad as it is. I'd pay max $5 for it.

As to refurbishing it, that may be tough. This is a large frame (pre 1953) knife, so tools from modern small frame 91mm knives aren't just drop in replacements. If this we 84mm you'd be in better shape.

[Corwyn]

Looks like a regular 1950-ish Model 234U (missing the U) in really bad shape. IMO its a parts knife, especially with the main blade being as bad as it is. I'd pay max $5 for it.

As to refurbishing it, that may be tough. This is a large frame (pre 1953) knife, so tools from modern small frame 91mm knives aren't just drop in replacements. If this we 84mm you'd be in better shape.

So basically a Standard (pre-1.3603 Spartan but after the 100 mm Officer). Thanks. I might get it for the funsies (do like that can opener, but only if he sells it for under 5 USD).

By the way is this a 91 mm or a 100 mm? Can't tell from the photo and I'd rather not ask the guy... If it's a 100 mm might make a nice mate to my period Soldier.

Thank you very much for the help.

[jazzbass]

So basically a Standard (pre-1.3603 Spartan but after the 100 mm Officer). Thanks. I might get it for the funsies (do like that can opener, but only if he sells it for under 5 USD).

By the way is this a 91 mm or a 100 mm? Can't tell from the photo and I'd rather not ask the guy... If it's a 100 mm might make a nice mate to my period Soldier.

Thank you very much for the help.

100mm Officer? There really isn't such a thing. The original Officer's knife, introduced in 1897, was 91mm - same as today. You may be mixing this up with the 100mm vs 93mm Soldier knives, when the change occurred in 1951. No such change in overall knife ever happened.

There is what I call a "frame size" change in that happened in 1951. Knives before 51 are "large frame" knives and after are "small frame" knifes. All are 91mm in length, but large frame knives different pin sizes and larger awls/corkscrews. All current 91mm knives are small frame knives, and the tools between the two frame sizes are largely incompatible.

There is one "officer's knife" that is 100mm - the Model 290. I posted pictures elsewhere but here it is for posterity. This is an extremely unusual knife given it's 100mm size - its the only Officer's knife I've ever seen in this size.

[Corwyn]

A fountain of knowledge, as always jazzbass. Thank you again...
I never saw an old Officer except for photos so I just assumed based on what you said about the frame and what sakwiki says: http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Victorinox+100mm

Enki, mate, are you reading this? Are you sure the Officer's page should be in the 100 mm category? Sakwiki is our Bible 

Speaking of which... I'm getting both the Standard and the Pocket Pal for free as Christmas presents from the guy (as I intermediated some deals for him this year) It's 7th knife I get as gift from people I helped these last two months... I guess karma is finally starting to work for me... 

[Corwyn]

I didn't mean to post this... 

[sawman]

Looks like some of the oldies I'm fixing up at the moment. Anything with that old Awl is 60+ years old and unless completely trashed, deserves refurbishing/renovating even if only to become a user with a lot of history behind it.
They do look nice with wood or horn scales.

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

Those are beautiful