Swiss Made Cap Lifter Dating

Pile Driver · **on:** February 17, 2016, 05:46:16 PM

I have the following SAK on the way, nice score for 6 bucks I think most of the grime should clean up and be a fun project. Missing the scissor spring and both blades have minor tip damage.

I was wondering if anyone would be able to date it off of the "Swiss Made" cap lifter stamp as I haven't seen anything on it. I'm to assume the main blade has the +ARMEE SUISSE stamp, this was the listing's only picture. I'm hoping it has the old ornate Victorinox reverse stamp with the crossbow. Anyone able to confirm/deny? Is there enough information from this picture to date it?

/edit: There is just enough left of the inlay where it has some character, I like it lol.

SAK Guy · **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2016, 06:24:46 PM

Nice one!!!

Barry Rowland · **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2016, 09:29:44 PM

+1....great looking knife!

Pile Driver · **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2016, 09:32:46 PM

Quote from: Barry Rowland on February 17, 2016, 09:29:44 PM

+1....great looking knife!

At the moment it looks like it was dug out of a cesspool! I hope it doesn't wreak!

jazzbass · **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2016, 09:46:10 PM

That looks to be an 84mm Huntsman with LNF from c. 1949-1951. The "Swiss Made" on the cap lifter doesn't really do much to date it; this appears sporadically in this time period quite bit. Most likely the rear stamp is "Victoria Switzerland Stainless" with no crossbow.

Etherealicer · **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2016, 09:52:01 PM

According to the Swiss Trade Register the "coutellerie du mont blanc" only existed from 1988 to 2009 when it went in foreclosure. There is no indication of an earlier company of that name, which not necessarily means there has not been one.

Another knife with a similar inscription on a Bulgarian Site

Pile Driver · **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2016, 11:20:26 PM

Should have it in next week, will have to wait and see

user24 · **Reply #7 on:** February 19, 2016, 10:12:16 AM

I would think twice before dating a swiss made cap lifter. Sure it's an appealing looking tool, but wouldn't you rather be seen with a more popular tool like the can opener or awl?

Corwyn · **Reply #8 on:** February 19, 2016, 10:30:44 AM

Quote from: user24 on February 19, 2016, 10:12:16 AM

I would think twice before dating a swiss made cap lifter. Sure it's an appealing looking tool, but wouldn't you rather be seen with a more popular tool like the can opener or awl?

Auch.. they sound painfull.. a nice rounded-shape curvy fish-scaler would be nicer.
Or a swiss corkscrew... I heard they can twist and bend in amazing ways

SAK Guy · **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2016, 05:53:01 AM

Quote from: Etherealicer on February 17, 2016, 09:52:01 PM

According to the Swiss Trade Register the "coutellerie du mont blanc" only existed from 1988 to 2009 when it went in foreclosure. There is no indication of an earlier company of that name, which not necessarily means there has not been one.

Another knife with a similar inscription on a Bulgarian Site

And a Vic Soldier with it...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151992249784

yud · **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2016, 06:10:34 AM

Quote from: Corwyn on February 19, 2016, 10:30:44 AM

Quote from: user24 on February 19, 2016, 10:12:16 AM
I would think twice before dating a swiss made cap lifter. Sure it's an appealing looking tool, but wouldn't you rather be seen with a more popular tool like the can opener or awl?

Auch.. they sound painfull.. a nice rounded-shape curvy fish-scaler would be nicer.
Or a swiss corkscrew... I heard they can twist and bend in amazing ways

No I'd go with the hook, except for the obvious jokes

J Mackrel Jones · **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2016, 02:42:51 PM

It is the can opener that dates this one. According to The Swiss Army Knife Owner's Manual, Victorinox made this hook-type opener only from 1946 until 1951.