A very strange SI model 1961

[Pile Driver]

Has anyone seen one like this before? Blank WK plate and dateless reverse ricasso?

Is it like a factory error? Did it not pass inspection?

[kirk13]

Definitely a reject. Undoubtedly it's flawed and dangerous to use. You should send it directly to Blamington Hall for immediate disposal!

 

[SAK Guy]

Unless it's stamped "Swiza", it's not a reject.....

 

More likely, it's a post 08 knife known as a Swiss Army 70

Variation 3
http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Wenger+Soldat+1961+-+Standard+Issue


..or it could just be a factory error as the SW70's usually don't have a WK plate..IIRC.


...or a repair/ replacement to a reg SI with a post 08 blade.

[Pile Driver]

Unless it's stamped "Swiza", it's not a reject.....

 

More likely, it's a post 08 knife known as a Swiss Army 70

Variation 3
http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Wenger+Soldat+1961+-+Standard+Issue


..or it could just be a factory error as the SW70's usually don't have a WK plate..IIRC.


...or a repair/ replacement to a reg SI with a post 08 blade.

the primary stamp is small v vssr

the openers are also unpolished with a grain to them

[SAK Guy]

Unless it's stamped "Swiza", it's not a reject.....

 

More likely, it's a post 08 knife known as a Swiss Army 70

Variation 3
http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Wenger+Soldat+1961+-+Standard+Issue


..or it could just be a factory error as the SW70's usually don't have a WK plate..IIRC.


...or a repair/ replacement to a reg SI with a post 08 blade.

the primary stamp is small v vssr

the openers are also unpolished with a grain to them

Then #3 would be my best guess.... 

[Pile Driver]

I'm not sure, I would think if that were the case it would be a large V vssr stamp with something stamped on the reverse if it were a blade replacement.

[enki_ck]

This is a Vic, not a Wenger, right?

The tang stamp you're describing is Victorinox/Switzerland/Stainless/Rostfrei

So it would be a Vic Soldier, not a Wenger SI.

This one probably wasn't issued, so it didn't go through the control process where it would have gotten the WC and year stamps.

It was probably made from spare parts they had in the factory that did not get used up and they were short on the Pioneer ones. This looks to be a late 70's model. But I'm by far no Soldier expert so if I'm wrong, someone will correct me soonish.

[SAK Guy]

I'm not sure, I would think if that were the case it would be a large V vssr stamp with something stamped on the reverse if it were a blade replacement.

Wenger was still making blades for a while after 2008...but they had no date on the back, hence the Swiss Army 70 model designation. Wait a minute, is this a Vic Soldier or a Wenger SI?

added  I see enki_ck asked my question.

[SAK Guy]

This is a Vic, not a Wenger, right?

The tang stamp you're describing is Victorinox/Switzerland/Stainless/Rostfrei

So it would be a Vic Soldier, not a Wenger SI.

This one probably wasn't issued, so it didn't go through the control process where it would have gotten the WC and year stamps.

It was probably made from spare parts they had in the factory that did not get used up and they were short on the Pioneer ones. This looks to be a late 70's model. But I'm by far no Soldier expert so if I'm wrong, someone will correct me soonish.

That's what I would think too if it's a Vic...I assumed it was a Wenger by the title.

[Pile Driver]

My apologies I assumed SI meant standard issue, for both makers

[Pile Driver]

So is this a rarity? I've not heard of or been able to find anything regarding this instance.

[SAK Guy]

So is this a rarity? I've not heard of or been able to find anything regarding this instance.

I don't think it's super rare....it's the same as a Pioneer/Farmer showing up with dated Soldier blades only in reverse.

This is the first occurrence of the reverse repair I've seen and it's a pre 85 (IIRC) blade so I guess it's rare in that respect. Maybe very rare in that respect.  But, I would hazard a guess that all future 61 Soldiers, regardless of age will have undated blades because the contract is up and all the dated blades are probably gone. They will be, by necessity, be repaired with undated Pioneer/Farmer blades.

I'd put it up and not use it if it were me.

Does that help or did I manage to confuse everyone.   

[Pile Driver]

So is this a rarity? I've not heard of or been able to find anything regarding this instance.

I don't think it's super rare....it's the same as a Pioneer/Farmer showing up with dated Soldier blades only in reverse.

This is the first occurrence of the reverse repair I've seen and it's a pre 85 (IIRC) blade so I guess it's rare in that respect. Maybe very rare in that respect.  But, I would hazard a guess that all future 61 Soldiers, regardless of age will have undated blades because the contract is up and all the dated blades are probably gone. They will be, by necessity, be repaired with undated Pioneer/Farmer blades.

I'd put it up and not use it if it were me.

Does that help or did I manage to confuse everyone.   

Makes sense to me, between the blank WK square and the undated blade, there's something up with it. Unfortunately it's been sharpened, not terribly but it has a wider bevel than factory.