Codger_64
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A new item in the 1988 Schrade catalog was the 902OT Compass, one of the few tools, besides the Honesteel, ever introduced as a part of the Old Timer line. It listed for $17.95 at that time, and was only shown in 1988, 1989 and 1990. The final MSRP was $19.95.
The 902OT is a baseplate type orienteering compass invented in the 1930's in Sweden by the Kjellstrom brothers and another orienteer, Gunnar Tillander. It combined a liquid-filled compass in a housing which could rotate over a protractor base. This saved a lot of time transferring bearings from compass to map. It proved to be a new and greatly successful system of direction- finding for outdoor activities. This type compass is made of clear plastic, having a rectangular high visibility optic green base with a 360° dial mounted on it. Inside the raised dial is a magnetic needle suspended in clear fluid. The dial can be turned to read a correct bearing along the direction of travel arrow which is clearly marked on the base plate. A short lanyard is attached for threading onto a pack strap, belt, or even through a buttonhole.
Having had only a three year catalog listing, it must not have been a very good seller among their non-manufactured items. They were listed in records as American made by Brunton, the actual manufacturer. At the same time the 902OT was introduced, Schrade came out with the earliest bonus clampacks, the TB158CP with a 158OT knife and leather sheath, and the TBSP3CP with a SP3 Firebird Lightweight knife and nylon sheath, both including a bonus Brunton Trail Buster compass as a bonus. A very similar compass without the baseplate and lanyard.
I havent really searched high and low for one of these 902OT, but they arent real common, so when I saw one going under the radar on eBay, I couldnt resist. It is Dales fault, actually. He is the one that reminded me of these back in March of this year. I hadn't seen them in stores since 1991, fifteen years ago.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=396163&highlight=902OT
Codger
Oh....production?
1988 - 3,211
1989 - 5,761
1990 - 1,540
1991 - 94
Total shipped - 10,606 units
More chit from the Codger files.
The 902OT is a baseplate type orienteering compass invented in the 1930's in Sweden by the Kjellstrom brothers and another orienteer, Gunnar Tillander. It combined a liquid-filled compass in a housing which could rotate over a protractor base. This saved a lot of time transferring bearings from compass to map. It proved to be a new and greatly successful system of direction- finding for outdoor activities. This type compass is made of clear plastic, having a rectangular high visibility optic green base with a 360° dial mounted on it. Inside the raised dial is a magnetic needle suspended in clear fluid. The dial can be turned to read a correct bearing along the direction of travel arrow which is clearly marked on the base plate. A short lanyard is attached for threading onto a pack strap, belt, or even through a buttonhole.
Having had only a three year catalog listing, it must not have been a very good seller among their non-manufactured items. They were listed in records as American made by Brunton, the actual manufacturer. At the same time the 902OT was introduced, Schrade came out with the earliest bonus clampacks, the TB158CP with a 158OT knife and leather sheath, and the TBSP3CP with a SP3 Firebird Lightweight knife and nylon sheath, both including a bonus Brunton Trail Buster compass as a bonus. A very similar compass without the baseplate and lanyard.
I havent really searched high and low for one of these 902OT, but they arent real common, so when I saw one going under the radar on eBay, I couldnt resist. It is Dales fault, actually. He is the one that reminded me of these back in March of this year. I hadn't seen them in stores since 1991, fifteen years ago.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=396163&highlight=902OT
Codger
Oh....production?
1988 - 3,211
1989 - 5,761
1990 - 1,540
1991 - 94
Total shipped - 10,606 units
More chit from the Codger files.