Welcome to MTO!I think the knife is a 246fmaU aka Champion ‘a’I believe it is c.’61 production and that the spacer next to the small clip-point blade is a thin anodized aluminum one, if I am correct about the date estimate. Earlier knives closer to the ‘57 side would still have the ‘thick’ spacers in either nickel silver or anodized aluminum. The ‘correct’ replacement scissor spring is the single leaf stainless type, not any of the black oxide types. I love these ‘conical’ awl knives and only wish I had more of them!
Reading your comments and I couldn't help but smile to myself, my other collector hobby is vintage watches, Ive been on the UK forums for those for years, and collector geeks are the same whatever the hobby, seeing the small details that only a nerd would know and recognise, and I say that with the utmost respect.
Welcome, it’s a lot calmer and well mannered over here compared to the bear pit of the U.K.’s premiere watch forum.Personally, I wouldn’t think of fixing the bail, it’s part of its history, it would be like having a vintage 5513 redialled.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Welcome to MTO. Congrats on the wonderful knife you have. I'm not sure I'd fix the bail either . I also love those AWLS and long nail file .
Brilliant info, many thanks, Ive added a closer photo of the spacer that will help confirm your comment, as for the scissor spring, I can only find the black single leaf on eBay, Ive ordered one and perhaps I can polish off the anodisation, if there is a source for the silver version I would love to hear it.(Image removed from quote.)Reading your comments and I couldn't help but smile to myself, my other collector hobby is vintage watches, Ive been on the UK forums for those for years, and collector geeks are the same whatever the hobby, seeing the small details that only a nerd would know and recognise, and I say that with the utmost respect. Thank you.
Your comments are most appreciated! Thanks for the picture confirmation as well. Can’t say I’d try removing any coating from a blackened scissor spring. The only source I know of are from other knives. I’ve bought many broken knives for parts and sometimes as little as an intact spring. A reproduction wouldn’t be that difficult to make, and sometimes I mod broken double leaf springs into the single leaf shape for knives that I use or which a working spring was removed to be used in another. I have made reproduction shackles for some of mine that have lost their original. It’s not too difficult with appropriate tools. An original one from a parts donor could work as well. Looks like there’s enough material on the existing pin/rivet.
Just a quick update, the black scissor spring came and I was able to remove the black coating quite easily with emory / fine carbide paper, drifted out the old broken bit and nipped in the new spring with needle nosed pliers. Quite pleased with myself.