Codger_64
Moderator
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2004
- Messages
- 62,324
77OT Small Game Muskrat Research
The 77OT was a two blade knife built on the 4" stockman frame. It featured two identical 3 1/8" 1095 carbon steel Turkish Clip blades, hinged from opposite ends of the knife. Supposedly this design evolved for use by trappers so that a dulled skinning blade could be renewed as simply as reversing the knife and opening the fresh blade without having to stop and sharpen a master blade while running a trapline. The 77OT first appeared in the Old Timer line in 1976 and listed for ten dollars, and last listed for $34.95 in 2002.
The 77OT used the familiar brown sawcut delrin handles, oblong Old Timer shield, and nickle silver bolsters seen on other production Old Timers, and is often found with an “Improved Muskrat” blade etch on the master blade.
The most direct predecessor of this pattern was the 787 from the open stock line. I first see the 787 with jigged bone handles illustrated in 1953, but I suspect that this pattern is much older than that. (The name "Improved Muskrat" is seen on the #S7814stg in the 1928/38 Catalog E)
From this first illustration onward, the 787 is shown with a federal shield, and some years, the shield was stamped “Improved Muskrat”. In 1957 the 787 is still offered, plus the 787WE appears, and the master blade is serrated with the “Wonda-Edge”. In 1959, the 787ST appears, the newer designation of “stagged” jigged handles. In 1960, it is the 787MP, possibly meerschaum plastic, or marine pearl. In 1962 the handle material is described as “Unbreakable Staglon”, still in a jigged bone pattern with Federal shield. It is called “Muskrat”. Again in 1963 it is listed as a 787MP, and in 1964 as simply 787. From 1968 onward, it is illustrated with an “Improved Muskrat” blade etch.
In 1974 the illustrations finally show the stamp on the shield, as well as the blade etch. The 77OT, the Old Timer version of the 787 Muskrat is introduced in 1976 with sawcut staglon handles, and no blade etch illustrated, and the 77OT received the name “Small Game” in 1978. 1983 was the last year that the 787 appeared in the open stock lineup.
1990 was the year for several new patterns for both the OT and UH lines, and among them was the 877UH, an Uncle Henry Signature series muskrat, albeit with a guthook master blade, in stainless steel with the UH Staglon handles, and named “Pro Skinner”. This was a short lived knife, not listed after 1991 for a two year production. In 1996, the name of the 77OT was changed, adding back the old pattern name to the new, “Small Game Muskrat”. The last catalog appearance of the 77OT Muskrat was in 2002.
At some point, a 77UH was made like the 877UH, but with the true muskrat twin blade configuration. It was used for a Federal Duck Stamp issue in a commemorative tin. The Muskrat with jigged bone handles was also used as one of the patterns of the 2003 “Cigar Box Classics” series using the old federal shield and no etching. While I cannot point out the art and year of issue, it was also used for a scrimshaw.
The 77OT is now being copied by a Chinese factory and sole in The U.S. by TBLLC. There are enough differences that a knowledgeable collector should not be fooled by them.
The 77OT/787 pattern was given jigged bone handles, a”Cattleman” shield, and special blade etch artwork as the Fisherman in the “Classics” set, now known as the “Tradesman” set.
In 2002, it was used as the base knife for the New York Knife Co. 150th Anniversary Knife.
Codger
The 77OT was a two blade knife built on the 4" stockman frame. It featured two identical 3 1/8" 1095 carbon steel Turkish Clip blades, hinged from opposite ends of the knife. Supposedly this design evolved for use by trappers so that a dulled skinning blade could be renewed as simply as reversing the knife and opening the fresh blade without having to stop and sharpen a master blade while running a trapline. The 77OT first appeared in the Old Timer line in 1976 and listed for ten dollars, and last listed for $34.95 in 2002.
The 77OT used the familiar brown sawcut delrin handles, oblong Old Timer shield, and nickle silver bolsters seen on other production Old Timers, and is often found with an “Improved Muskrat” blade etch on the master blade.
The most direct predecessor of this pattern was the 787 from the open stock line. I first see the 787 with jigged bone handles illustrated in 1953, but I suspect that this pattern is much older than that. (The name "Improved Muskrat" is seen on the #S7814stg in the 1928/38 Catalog E)
From this first illustration onward, the 787 is shown with a federal shield, and some years, the shield was stamped “Improved Muskrat”. In 1957 the 787 is still offered, plus the 787WE appears, and the master blade is serrated with the “Wonda-Edge”. In 1959, the 787ST appears, the newer designation of “stagged” jigged handles. In 1960, it is the 787MP, possibly meerschaum plastic, or marine pearl. In 1962 the handle material is described as “Unbreakable Staglon”, still in a jigged bone pattern with Federal shield. It is called “Muskrat”. Again in 1963 it is listed as a 787MP, and in 1964 as simply 787. From 1968 onward, it is illustrated with an “Improved Muskrat” blade etch.
In 1974 the illustrations finally show the stamp on the shield, as well as the blade etch. The 77OT, the Old Timer version of the 787 Muskrat is introduced in 1976 with sawcut staglon handles, and no blade etch illustrated, and the 77OT received the name “Small Game” in 1978. 1983 was the last year that the 787 appeared in the open stock lineup.
1990 was the year for several new patterns for both the OT and UH lines, and among them was the 877UH, an Uncle Henry Signature series muskrat, albeit with a guthook master blade, in stainless steel with the UH Staglon handles, and named “Pro Skinner”. This was a short lived knife, not listed after 1991 for a two year production. In 1996, the name of the 77OT was changed, adding back the old pattern name to the new, “Small Game Muskrat”. The last catalog appearance of the 77OT Muskrat was in 2002.
At some point, a 77UH was made like the 877UH, but with the true muskrat twin blade configuration. It was used for a Federal Duck Stamp issue in a commemorative tin. The Muskrat with jigged bone handles was also used as one of the patterns of the 2003 “Cigar Box Classics” series using the old federal shield and no etching. While I cannot point out the art and year of issue, it was also used for a scrimshaw.
The 77OT is now being copied by a Chinese factory and sole in The U.S. by TBLLC. There are enough differences that a knowledgeable collector should not be fooled by them.
The 77OT/787 pattern was given jigged bone handles, a”Cattleman” shield, and special blade etch artwork as the Fisherman in the “Classics” set, now known as the “Tradesman” set.
In 2002, it was used as the base knife for the New York Knife Co. 150th Anniversary Knife.
Codger
