Old Victorinox Spartan?

[nhagman6]

  Ordered this Spartan off eBay for a good price, cleaned it up, and have dated it using the tang stamps between 1975-1985 (could be wrong). I can't seem to find one online that has the corkscrew on the front. Is this even a spartan? It has all the same tools (minus the toothpick, tweezers, and keyring), I think. What could this be, and where/when is it from?

[IMR4198]

Hi there N,
     I think that SAKwiki has the best tang stamp information.  It would be helpful if you could take a photo of the knife with the tools open. Then we can drool over it anyway.  Might even be able to tell you what it is.  Best wishes.  Gary
PS Be sure to check out the specialized section on this site for the Swiss Army Knives.  It might get more interest there.  G
  

[nate j]

It would be helpful if you could take a photo of the knife with the tools open.

Yep, need more pics.  As Gary says, one or two with all tools open, and both sides of tang stamp.

[nate j]

Looks like a legit 1986-1992 tang stamp to me.

https://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-index.php?page=Victorinox+Tang+Stamp+Guide

Would still like to see some pictures of the whole knife with all tools open.

[BPRoberts]

Corkscrew on "front" (without seeing pics) usually means it was an advertising knife, and they wanted the space for their logo, etc. Is there any branding on it?

[IMR4198]

Spartan with corkscrew on front?  Is this what you had in mind, Bob?  No toothpick, no tweezers, no key ring.  Logo on the other side of course.   
 

PXL_20240109_180747344.jpg (Filesize: 166.19 KB)

[nate j]

Corkscrew on "front" (without seeing pics) usually means it was an advertising knife, and they wanted the space for their logo, etc. Is there any branding on it?

Haha, I think advertising knives would be more accurately described as “emblem/shield on the back” as opposed to “corkscrew on the front”, but you’re probably right.

[BPRoberts]

Yeah, that's what it sounds like he's describing to me. Hopefully we can see some pics.

[nhagman6]

Had trouble uploading earlier for some reason.

[nhagman6]

The knife does not have any logo or company branding of any kind.

[nhagman6]

Back view.

[IMR4198]

Hi there Hag,
      Nice clear photos.  A good-looking Spartan. I guess you saw the photo of the blue handled Spartan that I posted.  It doesn't have any company logo either.  Now.  It was buffed off.  That is the reason for the Victorinox shield on the wrong side.  The company wants their ad on the nice smooth full front.  Some advertising knives have toothpick and tweezers and some don't.  The blue one I showed doesn't have either. 
      The logos that are sort of printed on can be easily buffed off.  That is what has happened to yours.  Somebody sanded it off and polished it a little.  Some of the knives have a metal inlay for the logo.  That is harder to deal with.  They generally survive.  I have removed company logos several times myself.  Advertising SAKs might have the shield on the front, the back, or not at all.  I have some of each.
       Does the company logo on a knife, or the removal of the company logo add to or decrease the value?  I would say not much.  If any.  If you like it the way it is then leave it.  Might polish it up a little.  Or not.  If you want it is pretty easy to change to another color scale.  Advertising SAKs are common.  Removing the logo is common as well.  Best wishes.  Gary 

[nhagman6]

Thanks for clearing it up. I wasn't quite sure what to think of it, since I couldn't find a clear answer online. Is it safe to say this is from the 80's?

[IMR4198]

Check out the chart below to find a better date.  Half stop on screwdriver, hole in awl, etc.  I didn't exactly inspect the pix too closely, but I see the solid (non fluted) corkscrew.  Looks like maybe 1991 or 1992.  See what you think from the chart.  Best wishes.  G
 
 

Vic Tool Evolution Ver ix.jpg (Filesize: 138 KB)

[nate j]

Looks like…1991 or 1992.

I agree, based on the tang stamps and corkscrew without the groove.