165 sheath dating

[Bridgeman]

Hey all. I picked up another "tang stamp ground" 165, mainly for the sheath. I have Schrade Walden No. 20220, but the sheath is a bit worn. My original intent was to use the new sheath (which did not turn out to be as nice as I had hoped) to go with the older Walden. It arrived in the mail today and I immediately noticed subtle differences.

I believe the very first style had the retaining strap which went over the hilt and had the stitching riveted. The next generation moved the strap up to go around the handle, the belt loop was lengthened, and the top of the stitching was still riveted. Assuming all of that is correct so far, here is where I need help.

It appears that the sheath I received with the Walden has white stitching compared with brown on the newer sheath, lighter colored leather than the newer sheath (older one may have been oiled?), retaining strap is about 1/4" higher up on the belt loop than the newer one and is slightly wider on the older one, and the embossing on the belt loop is closer to the edge of the leather on the older sheath. Are these simply manufacturing differences of were these changes made over time. If the changes were made over time then I will keep the darker sheath with the older Walden knife. The sheath that came with no. 20220 is on the top in the first picture and on the left in all the other views.

Thanks,
Greg

 

[Codger_64]

20220 is late in the Walden production. #20969 is the highest serial I have recorded so far (but they may have gone higher before discontinuing serials).

Here is the sheath that came with #02739:

And here is the sheath that was in the 1973 flyer:

Minute differences among the seperate styles may be attributed to different manufacturers over time, rather than actual purposeful design changes. Are the snaps marked inside?

This may be one of those questions to which there are no pat answers.

Michael

 

[Bridgeman]

Michael,
They are both simply stamped "DOT".
Greg