I was digging through my Snap-On bottom toolbox today, waaay back there in the dusty part that has the icky spiders and spider remnants, where I don't dare stick my hands on account I'm a pansy when unseen creepies move about...
And unearthed
this:That's a BSA (some sort of US militia ??
) "multitool" that was once owned by my father. Given his age and my advanced understanding of the so-called "maths", I was able to date this pterodactyl to the early-mid 1950's.
The brand is IMPERIAL of Providence, RI Note well-worn main blade stampings:
This style was made from about 1949 to 1962, with black plastic handles. My research so far reveals that it does, however, have the long screwdriver, and the metal "Be Prepared" Federal-style sheild on the scale. Which means it was the mid production model, not the early short screwdriver model or the late plastic sheild model. So that would make sense with my father's estimate of being a Boy Scout circa 1952-1954.
I think I owe it to myself and the knife to do some serious cleaning and restoration. I don't want to take the brass pins out of the liners and take it apart, so I'll just try my best to clean it up whilst still intact. Despite the years of neglect it isn't in bad shape.
Anyone with further information, or former BSA "militia" members, or hints on cleanup please feel free to chime in.
-steve