49er thread where are you?

lt632ret

lt632ret

Joined
Jan 21, 2001
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A while back there was a thread regarding the 49er series of knives I posted a picture of a set that I have with the original brochure. I would have added this posting to that thread but alas and alack I am not smart enough to find it. In any event in that thread there was a question regarding a section of the brochure which shows that these knives were stamped on the pommel with a makers mark. Recently while digging around I found this strange hammer ( see pics ) apparently this tool was used for applying the makers (cutlers) mark stamp. I took a piece of brass and whacked it ( see pics ) just to show an example. Pretty neat huh Now I have the hammer, the tang stamps, the brochure, and the complete set. This is the kind of compilation I was referring to in regard to collecting unique complete displays. Unfortunately as time goes on I realize more and more that no one really cares about saving this type of history except it seems myself. Oh well at least the hammer didn't fall on my head ( which usually happens when I am out digging around.) Although since the mark is that of the Schrade anvil if it had, I could say that I got hit with an anvil on my fore head, ( or where ever it hit me. ) and it made such an impression that I was carrying it with me where ever I went. I hope someone enjoys the pics and this little piece of factory production technique history. LT
 
It's true, might as well admit it, most people find the knives more important, more 'collectible' than the things that went into making 'em. Except us, of course. Some of my most valuable Schrade things go along with one of my favorite patterns (Pruner knife 136-139 It's early, please don't make me go and find it all)): A photo card used by Schrade employees to ID different knives and a print block used for the advertising and the knife in question. I gotta make a nice display for those items.

This is cool, LT, glad you posted the hammer, ads and examples. I don't have a benchmade 49er, which makes it all the more interesting and intriguing for me. And here is a question to go along with those knives: Who was it that decided to go with a squared-off bottom on that sheath?

Phil
 
I find it amazing that you have all that "stuff" in your collection, that hammer is indeed the type of thing that makes a collection into real history. Thanks for sharing that and I know that myself and other forum members really appreciate it when you show things like that.

Who knows, maybe my knife got marked with that very hammer.

What else you got in that shed?
 
LT,
Most interesting. I see that the 'hammer stamp' appears to have an interchangeable stamp, is the shaft size the same as the tang stamp shaft sizes?
This is a very valuable set, the knives, brochures, tang stamps and maker's mark hammer stamp.
Thanks for sharing this.
Del
 
LT, you'll go down in history for saving these things, it is my opinion that in time the tools may very well be as much if not more valuable than the knives. If I go into a museum and see a brand new knife, never used just kept mint in a drawer, and next to it the tools that were used to make it, the tools will likely be more interesting and valuable.

Unused things are nice to see and to collect, but used things have character, or soul, or whatever you want to call it. If I see a used knife, and it is the one that cut the cake after the prison riot, or the one that killed the scorpion, or the one that skinned the squirrels, or the one that I used to carve the Halloween pumpkin for my niece, now that's a worthy knife.

Luis
 
thats real cool lt. I got a couple 49ers myself and I think it would be awsome to have the knife, brochures and the tools that went into marking the knife,thats as cool as it gets.
 
For anyone who might have an interest here is a pic of the 49er brochure, I added it to the first posting, I added a pic of my set of 49 ers in this posting (since they had been erased in the archives.) Also in the quest to preserve some history. I included a pic of a glass display with around 5 dozen scrimshaws with the one and only hot dies they were made with ( only one die was used for each pattern or picture ). If the issue was 10,000 they were all made with the dies in the display. These are the only ones of these in the world. I also stood back a bit further so that the entire case could be seen It contains printing blocks for virtually every knife ( style pattern ) they made. Above that are knives in different stages of completion of various patterns. above that are several revolving displays of antique Schrades and other knives, The display cases laying on top of each other in the bottom section are more of the same. While snapping pics I turned to the right to show some imperial and Schrade displays. The Duke said it was OK. This is one section of one wall. There is another pic of stamps and dies thatI still have to sort. That was all of them that I could get in the pic. I enjoy this pursuit and from the response to this thread perhapes some other people do as well that being the case I hope you enjoy the pics. LT
 
I only have a 498S beater right now, but the series is on my list of "gotta-haves". Meanwhile, I am trying to learn what I can about them. Thanks for those pictures Rich. Can you find the one of the original ad you had posted with that one? I was very disappointed to find those pics gone when I found the threads in my archive searches. And weren't there some 49er themed folders too?

Codger
 
thats absolutely sweet LT. I love good pics of good knives :D . I have a pair of MIB 498S myself. It's amazing how a feller can trade to some good knives with a bunch of stuff he had laying around collecting dust. I'd rather have some good knives collecting dust rather than a couple old fixed up pellet guns. (that's how I do alot of buisness, I got pretty handy at repairing old airguns so I started picking them up for a little of nothing at yard sales ect. and fixed them up and use them for trading material.) This kinda dealin landed me the 498's a few I-XL scharades a series of LB's and some others, all for a couple old crosmans.
have a good one
MM
 
lt632ret said:
I added it to the first posting Mike. I believe it is what you mean. LT
Click to expand...
Yep. Thanks LT. I'll print it and add it to my research folder so I don't loose it again. I'm slowly building a photo I.D. album to help me identify the generations of patterns in the fixed blades. I hate to think of all the information I lost by not spending a lot of time mining the archives sooner. Like your experience with Dave Swinden and the knife mystery, a lot of time spent in frustration and head scratching can be cleared up with a few right words and sentences from someone who knows. Thanks again LT, my 49er folder is a bit thicker now.

Codger :thumbup:
 
LT, you once mentioned "artifacts", I wonder if here's probably some of that, I'm drooling over those last pictures, have to borrow one of my nieces bibs.

Luis
 
Just going through some stuff and found this it is the flip side of the brochure. I am a bit tied up right now so postings will be spotty.
 
LT,
You mentioned you are a bit tied up...did one of those 50 somethings stop by...or are you practicing your rope tricks??

If you drink enough Drown Royal, you can usually work yourself untied. :eek: :D

billy
 
Nothing that lurid My favorite song is Bobby Vinton, MR LONELY. Rope tricks are about the extent of my life. No this has been a project for a long time and while far from perfect it is a start. I will let anyone interested in on it when I get it done. I hope. LT
 
I'm sure we'll all be interested in seeing what you are working on LT. Keep us in the loop, er, ah, figuratively speaking. :D

Bill
 
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