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Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife

shenkie · 22 · 1907
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nl Offline shenkie

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Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
on: May 16, 2015, 01:07:43 PM
Hi guys!

I've been collecting SAKS for a while now, and theres one in my collection that I can't figure out the year it was produced.

It's a very old Soldier knife with "Elsener Schwyz Swiss made" on one side of the blade and INOXYD with the bow and arrow on the other side. According to the tang stamp topic on this forum (long time lurker lol), those stamps were used between 1930-1950 and 1943-1951. I've also read that each knife after 1920 was marked with the production year (20 for 1920, 30 for 1930 etc.), so one (or both) would be incorrect.

A couple of other thing worth noting:
- The knife is 10cm.
- The handle is not wood but fiber (i think).
- Brass rivets.
- It says "swiss made" on the screwdriver.
- theres a small cross with a circle around it on one side of the handle.
- It came with a green pouch, not sure if it's original.

If anyone has some more info about this knife it would be greatly appreciated!

BTW: First post! Looking forward to being a part of this forum! :)
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« Last Edit: May 16, 2015, 01:09:10 PM by shenkie »

ro Offline Corwyn

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #1 on: May 16, 2015, 01:52:47 PM
Welcome mate, great knife there. I'm sure one of the pros here will be along to give you a year. I know I have a similar one and it is stamped 38.
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us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #2 on: May 16, 2015, 02:28:22 PM
Welcome!!!
- Robert




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us Offline tjfarrington2000

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #3 on: May 16, 2015, 10:09:42 PM
On the opposite side of the blade there is a two digit number, that is the year it was made
If by some twist of the imagination there isn't any number, it's pre 1950


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us Offline jazzbass

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #4 on: May 16, 2015, 10:22:14 PM
Quote from: tjfarrington2000 on May 16, 2015, 10:09:42 PM
If by some twist of the imagination there isn't any number, it's pre 1950

My understanding (not a Soldier expert by any means):

Not all Soldiers got manufacture dates - only the ones "officially" issues to members of the Swiss army. Victorinox and Wenger both made additional versions of this knife for private sale and these would be bought without a date stamp on them. Also, as far as I know, officially issues knives were all carbon steel - shenkie's knife being stainless would mean that it was probably purchased by it's owner instead of being issued.

Now - there is a Waffenkontrol stamp on this knife, which means it went through official army inspection. I *think* this means that is would have been purchased by a member of Swiss army personally but used as a part of their duties in the army. Date-wise this pattern would be made from 1921 (introduction of stainless steel) until 1950 (the end of this style knife).

Hopefully on the real Soldier experts will chime in and correct anything I messed up.

nl Offline shenkie

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #5 on: May 16, 2015, 10:31:18 PM
Quote from: jazzbass on May 16, 2015, 10:22:14 PM
Quote from: tjfarrington2000 on May 16, 2015, 10:09:42 PM
If by some twist of the imagination there isn't any number, it's pre 1950

My understanding (not a Soldier expert by any means):

Not all Soldiers got manufacture dates - only the ones "officially" issues to members of the Swiss army. Victorinox and Wenger both made additional versions of this knife for private sale and these would be bought without a date stamp on them. Also, as far as I know, officially issues knives were all carbon steel - shenkie's knife being stainless would mean that it was probably purchased by it's owner instead of being issued.

Now - there is a Waffenkontrol stamp on this knife, which means it went through official army inspection. I *think* this means that is would have been purchased by a member of Swiss army personally but used as a part of their duties in the army. Date-wise this pattern would be made from 1921 (introduction of stainless steel) until 1950 (the end of this style knife).

Hopefully on the real Soldier experts will chime in and correct anything I messed up.

Thanks for the reply and the interesting information! How do you know this knife is made from stainless steel and not from the older carbon steel? Obviously stainless doesn't (mostly) rust, but if carbon steel is taken care of properly it can still look fine after all this time right?

This knife doesn't have a manufacture date.

nl Offline Reinier

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #6 on: May 16, 2015, 10:50:28 PM
Because you said it has INOXYD stamped on the blade. Which is short for inoxydable = stainless.
You should seriously visit vicfan.com. All the hoopy froods are doing it.
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us Offline Joe58

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #7 on: May 16, 2015, 11:22:31 PM
Very nice old piece. I've a few of those older models and they're pretty cool I think. The history behind them I find interesting. If they could talk if you know what I mean.

And the evolution of pocket knives in general. Toting one of those bricks around all day, as compared to a modern Alox soldier for example.

I still try and pick up one of the oldies if I can find a good priced one. But they're pretty popular with the collectors.

Enjoy the forum and welcome!  :tu:
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nl Offline shenkie

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #8 on: May 16, 2015, 11:47:59 PM
Quote from: Reinier on May 16, 2015, 10:50:28 PM
Because you said it has INOXYD stamped on the blade. Which is short for inoxydable = stainless.

Haha, I actually knew this  :facepalm:


Thanks for the info guys!

us Offline Aloha

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #9 on: May 17, 2015, 02:08:34 AM
Great knife congrats.

I just want to sit at the dinner table with Jazz and listen to him talk about knives, anyone else? 
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us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #10 on: May 17, 2015, 02:30:20 AM
Quote from: Aloha007 on May 17, 2015, 02:08:34 AM
Great knife congrats.

I just want to sit at the dinner table with Jazz and listen to him talk about knives, anyone else?

+1   :cheers:
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears
Merit Badges Start a new thread showing photos of your outdoor cooking Start a new thread and post a photo of a flashlight as part of your EDC Start a new thread demonstrating paracord knot tying Must buy something on EDCSource Must start new thread with photos of multitools (Magazine/Catalogue type photos) Must put something in order and provide link to the post. Start a new thread and post a picture of fire making kit or fire with a multitool Start a new thread with a photo of custom or non standard SAK scales in your collection Participate in a challenge by carrying  a GEC knife and post a photo of it  for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread with photos of at least 8 different 130mm models in your collection Must start a thread with a photo of your birth year SAK Start a new thread with photos of at least 12 different 111mm models in your collection Start a new thread with photos of your titanium gear with a multitool or sak Start a new thread with photos of your Mora knives in use Start a new thread and post a photo of a traditional folder for thirty (30) consecutive days. Post your pocket dump photos then challenge two more members who must post their pocket dump photos within 24hrs for you to get the badge. Start a thread with photos of at least twelve different colored ALOX models in your collection Start a new thread with photos of your astronomy gear with a multitool

ca Offline Syph007

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #11 on: May 17, 2015, 02:39:10 AM
Quote from: SAK Guy on May 17, 2015, 02:30:20 AM
Quote from: Aloha007 on May 17, 2015, 02:08:34 AM
Great knife congrats.

I just want to sit at the dinner table with Jazz and listen to him talk about knives, anyone else?

+1   :cheers:

Im ready to buy the book when its released.  :D
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us Offline SAK Guy

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #12 on: May 17, 2015, 02:48:45 AM
Quote from: Syph007 on May 17, 2015, 02:39:10 AM
Quote from: SAK Guy on May 17, 2015, 02:30:20 AM
Quote from: Aloha007 on May 17, 2015, 02:08:34 AM
Great knife congrats.

I just want to sit at the dinner table with Jazz and listen to him talk about knives, anyone else?

+1   :cheers:

Im ready to buy the book when its released.  :D

Me too!
- Robert




Quo Fata Ferunt
"It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues." - Ten Bears
Merit Badges Start a new thread showing photos of your outdoor cooking Start a new thread and post a photo of a flashlight as part of your EDC Start a new thread demonstrating paracord knot tying Must buy something on EDCSource Must start new thread with photos of multitools (Magazine/Catalogue type photos) Must put something in order and provide link to the post. Start a new thread and post a picture of fire making kit or fire with a multitool Start a new thread with a photo of custom or non standard SAK scales in your collection Participate in a challenge by carrying  a GEC knife and post a photo of it  for thirty (30) consecutive days. Start a new thread with photos of at least 8 different 130mm models in your collection Must start a thread with a photo of your birth year SAK Start a new thread with photos of at least 12 different 111mm models in your collection Start a new thread with photos of your titanium gear with a multitool or sak Start a new thread with photos of your Mora knives in use Start a new thread and post a photo of a traditional folder for thirty (30) consecutive days. Post your pocket dump photos then challenge two more members who must post their pocket dump photos within 24hrs for you to get the badge. Start a thread with photos of at least twelve different colored ALOX models in your collection Start a new thread with photos of your astronomy gear with a multitool

us Offline detron

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #13 on: May 17, 2015, 03:02:22 AM
Quote from: Syph007 on May 17, 2015, 02:39:10 AM
Quote from: SAK Guy on May 17, 2015, 02:30:20 AM
Quote from: Aloha007 on May 17, 2015, 02:08:34 AM
Great knife congrats.

I just want to sit at the dinner table with Jazz and listen to him talk about knives, anyone else?

+1   :cheers:

Im ready to buy the book when its released.  :D

Me too!
If I can help, let me know 
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us Offline ColoSwiss

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #14 on: May 17, 2015, 04:11:35 AM
Quote from: detron on May 17, 2015, 03:02:22 AM
Quote from: Syph007 on May 17, 2015, 02:39:10 AM
Quote from: SAK Guy on May 17, 2015, 02:30:20 AM
Quote from: Aloha007 on May 17, 2015, 02:08:34 AM
Great knife congrats.

I just want to sit at the dinner table with Jazz and listen to him talk about knives, anyone else?

+1   :cheers:

Im ready to buy the book when its released.  :D

Me too!

Me three!

Welcome aboard, tj!
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nl Offline Reinier

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #15 on: May 17, 2015, 06:56:55 PM
Hey I saw your SAK listed on MP. Bidding goes well ;)
You should seriously visit vicfan.com. All the hoopy froods are doing it.
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nl Offline shenkie

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #16 on: May 17, 2015, 10:14:39 PM
Quote from: Reinier on May 17, 2015, 06:56:55 PM
Hey I saw your SAK listed on MP. Bidding goes well ;)

Yeah, I was curious what people would offer for it. I actually haven't yet decided if I want to sell it or not, but that all depends on the amount that gets bid :)


nl Offline Reinier

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #17 on: May 18, 2015, 12:02:27 PM
€ 175,00 :ahhh
You should seriously visit vicfan.com. All the hoopy froods are doing it.
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nl Offline shenkie

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #18 on: May 18, 2015, 06:18:07 PM

us Offline jazzbass

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #19 on: May 18, 2015, 06:43:52 PM

nl Offline Reinier

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #20 on: May 18, 2015, 07:42:51 PM
Wow!
You should seriously visit vicfan.com. All the hoopy froods are doing it.
Merit Badges Start a new thread with a photo showing the Hook in use Must buy something on EDCSource Must sell something on EDCSource Start a new thread with photos of camping, including those showing preferred camping equipment Must update or add a page on SAKWiki Must start new thread with photos of multitools (Magazine/Catalogue type photos) Start a new thread with a photo of your custom ALOX with scissors Start a new thread with pictures of a Fish Scaler in use Start a new thread with photos of your astronomy gear with a multitool Start a new thread with a photo showing the Swiss Army Knife   Toothpick being used in an unusual way. Must start a thread with a photo of your stayglow SAK Must start a thread with a photo of your camo SAK Take part in the christmas pool or a rak type giveaway. Those wanting to say thank you for a rak may also nominate for the santa. Must start a thread showing a photo of at least three BO tools Start a thread with photos of at least twelve different colored ALOX models in your collection Start a thread with a photo of a repair you made with duct tape Start a new thread with a photo of custom or non standard SAK scales in your collection

nl Offline shenkie

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Re: Need some help dating this old Elsener soldier knife
Reply #21 on: May 20, 2015, 05:59:55 PM
I had this very nagging feeling that I would regret it if I sold it, so i apologized to the bidders and remove it.

Instead I got a 1940's pruner :p

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