Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Vintage Victorinox Salesman

This is my first Victorinox with a bail and old style tools. It's one of my favorite tool combinations, but in a smaller package (84mm). I bought this one from Marios Kardaras last week and must say that this knife's once more the proof that this guy delivers quality... The knife looks like new and all the tools work perfectly. This discontinued model uses the oldest style scissors and has one other tool combination available with the long nail file. It weighs 70 grams and has a width of 17mm. The larger, 91mm model, is called the Super Tinker.









Age - marks :
* Cellidor scales : These scales were introduced in 1937. Before 1937 the scales were made from fibre, and had no mirror polish. This knife has cellidor scales!
* Can opener : This type can opener is the more recent one with only one difference. It has a PAT - marking on it wich stands for Patented. This one is introduced in 1951 and continued till 1970.
* REAMER : This newer type reamer without the sewing eye was used from 1961 till 1985.
* Small blade : The small blade has a clip point. These blades were used till 1973.
* Cap lifter : The cap lifter, here used, with sharpened curve, without the 90 degree lock, was manufactured from 1951 till 1972.
* Blade stamp : The main blade stamp says VICTORIA officier suisse with the crossbow in the middle. On the back it says Victorinox Switzerland Stainless Rostfrei. The back stamp was used from 1952 and the front one from 1943
* Bail / keyring : The bail was used from 1902 till 1968.
* Scissors : This type of scissors with the single spring and screw joint was made from 1902 till 1975.



Conclusion :

This knife should be made between 1961 and 1968, since the reamer is the "newest" tool in this knife (from 1961) and the bail the oldest (till 1968). I'm very pleased to own a knife from that age in this condition... It shows on the other hand that Blade stamps, like the Victoria one, must've been used many decades after the "introduction" (1943). Tool-dating gives a more accurate answer. Maybe something to remember for the next vintage one...

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