American Legends Buffalo Bill Cody BBC1LTD (stag 15OT Deerslayer) salesman's sample

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

I'm really stoked about getting this one and couldn't wait for it to arrive to post.

It's the second of three offerings from Schrade's 1998-2000 American Legends Series. Here's the ad for it: http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/FLYERS/1990s/pages/SC98-129.htm

Larry V. posted some detailed info about the first in the series, Teddy Roosevelt here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=436380&highlight=american+legends The price of these kinda shocked me. To quote:

"Pricing:
Suggested Retail:$500.00
Special Cost:$187.50"

I know MSLP is always high so that's not what surprised me. It was the dealer cost of $187.50 back in 1998. I bought mine for $159.00 which I thought was quite fair but after seeing the prices Larry quoted I'm extra pleased.

These knives were serialized on the bottom of the tang between the handle slabs. Mine is a very cool serial # SS26. According to info I got here (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=463941&highlight=samples): "SS was salesman's sample I was both a salesman and the product manager at Schrade in the 80's and early 90's."

and here (http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397000&highlight=samples): "Salemans example sets often carried SS and then a number which identified the sales man.". The SS26 serial means it was issued to a salesman as a prime example of this knife and as such is an extra rare serial indeed.

For now here's some of the sellers pics. I will add some detailed scans when knife arrives:

 

[Larry303]

Mine is Serial #0289 inscribed on top tang between the Stag scales......nice 24K blade etching...Blade stamp shows LTD. .....I dont know exactly how many were manufactured...they pretty much sell themselves..one wonders why they needed a Salesmans sample to show...will be good to see it when you receive it Dave.....well done....knife sales including Schrade are in a glitch at the moment so now is the time to get a bargain generally speaking...IMO...sales seem to run in cycles....Hoo Roo

 

[lrv]

A little on the BB knife

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

Mine is Serial #0289 inscribed on top tang between the Stag scales......nice 24K blade etching...Blade stamp shows LTD. .....I dont know exactly how many were manufactured...they pretty much sell themselves..one wonders why they needed a Salesmans sample to show...will be good to see it when you receive it Dave.....well done....knife sales including Schrade are in a glitch at the moment so now is the time to get a bargain generally speaking...IMO...sales seem to run in cycles....Hoo Roo

My serial # is probably in the same spot as yours, Larry. When I asked seller about a serial # this was the reply: "with the blade down it is between the two handle pieces to the front it has SS26 on it. i did not know it was there until i looked this morning". I will confirm this when I get it.

The knives in this series were supposed to be serialized and limited to 1000 pieces but I've seen a whole bunch of loose seconds or unfinished or over-runs without the shield in the handle or no serial etc being sold online. I guess these left the factory when everything was auctioned off.

For the record I've been thinking prices were kinda high right now but it all depends on the pattern as well. Some are hot, some not. Getting these sets below cost has got to be an anomaly. These sets have it all, great knife in great display. What else could you ask for?!

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

A little on the BB knife

Thanks for the great info Larry V

 

[ea42]

Dave, nice example, I have yet to snag one of those, or any of the American Legends knives for that matter. Regarding the SS knives, I've heard from rather high authority that the initials also signified "shop sample" knives.

Eric

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

Thanks Eric. As long as it's a legit serial I'm happy be it salesmans or shop sample. My worst fear is that it stands for "sh*tty second" but that's highly unlikely

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

Here are some scans I took of my knife. The blade colour is incorrect (it actually is a high polished mirror-finish stainless with no colour whatsoever) as shown in the photos I posted earlier in this thread.

The reason for this inaccuracy is that the extra-thick stag handle (one full inch across) raises the blade nearly a half inch off the bed of my scanner and that greys-out the blade. These scans still give you a pretty good idea of what this knife is all about and the last one shows the SS26 serial number on the top of the blade so I figured they are still worth posting.

The fit and finish is very nice. The gold etch is classy and the shield is too. If you are only going to collect one Deerslayer pattern (like me) I'd say this American Legends series example is the one to get. Great knife in a classy display imo. This one's a keeper!

 

[howieareyu]

DAY-UM!! A Beauty!! Howie

 

[grey menace]

I just checked mine, no serial #.