Help identifying my what my great grandfathers knife is?

H

HaroldFairhair

Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Messages
2
Hello, I'm new here –literally brand new– so forgive me if I am asking this in the wrong place. I am looking for some help with identifying what kind of knife my great grandfather used. My grandpa handed it down to me to keep safe and I've had it for a couple years now but I'm just now taking interest in it.

I don't know how to added photos on this forum, if some one could help me that would be greatly appreciated. Until then all I can do is describe it. The knife is a all black with chrome (probably not the right word) ends. In the black body part of it is a metal looking shield. It has three blades, one long, one short and skinny, and one short and a bit wider. On the larger blade towards the handle is an engraving which I can only assume is the maker; unfortunately it is too withered away to read, all I can really see is the last four letters which look like "steh". On the back of the main blade there is numbers as well: "3005". It was his daily knife so it is in rough shape, also it is a bit rusty.

below I am attempting to post pictures; Ignore them if they don't appear.

open

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzvdXimaOjF6THROYUpWRDNiZExJdkpwSnZCRzlTaUFVU3Iw

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzvdXimaOjF6WlNPZzZyUHJHeDZVazA3OE5jX3VRTEo5amlr

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzvdXimaOjF6RVBHUENFSmpKMndjZ21CUmlfbGVLQjMyUkVF

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzvdXimaOjF6SUplNUVyanNBMUpDYlZFUEFJU3hPR1E1emZR

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzvdXimaOjF6NFp2QW85SXB0bkhvSXNpZzVWT0VheVFoUjRB

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzvdXimaOjF6M1VoWmtWOVo0bzhsVl9KY3NrMHAtV3lDUjRV

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzvdXimaOjF6YUFCTGZpdEZTRUxJSGYyR24wY2xIUFZtM0hj

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzvdXimaOjF6OWwwdjhYejZZZlFienpXcmxTZmdVYVhYUVY4
 
It appears to be a Winchester Swell Center Whittler. I'm sure someone with better knowledge will be able to give a better description that I can though.
 
This pattern is swell center whittler. I assume the main blade use the two back springs that are in use with the two smaller blades. The shield is federal shield and the scales material is either black wood or some kind of raisin. I can't think of the maker but the number is probably pattern number with 3 indicating maybe the number of the blades. Anyway its very nice knife with a family history and importance. I'll be interesting to read what other think.

Mike
 
Ha you got me there Bob and Jake I knew the stamp reminds me something. You nailed it :thumbup:

The second line of the tang stamp says Trade Mark

Mike
 
What a great old knife, and a wonderful memento to own!
 
Thank you so much! I am sure my grandpa will be thrilled to hear about what kind of knife it is. Im curious to know how you and others on this site found out what kind of knife it was. I am not knowledgeable about knives but I would like to get into the hobby.
Also, I was wondering if I should do anything to preserve it or clean it up? It is a bit hard to open and as you can see in the pictures there is a little rust. Should I leave it how it is, or clean it?

And how did you post the pictures? for me it kept posting the link just with the image tag in front of it so i figured it would be easier to just post the links.

Thanks again!
 
You got it nailed guys, well done :) :thumbup:
 
I would personally try to leave it as is with the exception of some WD-40 and some fine emery cloth to clean up as much of the rust as possible. Put an edge on the blades and after working the WD-40 out of the joints, oil it up with some mineral oil or 3-in-1 oil or similar.
There is a tutorial link to posting pics. But essentially you use an online picture hosting site like photobucket, imurgr, flicker, etc. Then just copy the image (IMG) link and paste it in your post.
 
It just needs to be flushed out with some wd40, a can of air or air compressor, and some toothpicks OT q-tips to pick out the gunk.
Other than that I'd just oil the blades to prevent rust.
 
HaroldFairhair said:
Thank you so much! I am sure my grandpa will be thrilled to hear about what kind of knife it is. Im curious to know how you and others on this site found out what kind of knife it was. I am not knowledgeable about knives but I would like to get into the hobby.
Also, I was wondering if I should do anything to preserve it or clean it up? It is a bit hard to open and as you can see in the pictures there is a little rust. Should I leave it how it is, or clean it?

And how did you post the pictures? for me it kept posting the link just with the image tag in front of it so i figured it would be easier to just post the links.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...

When you've spent enough time looking at knives, you can recognize a brand name from a few letters. The "Winchester Trademark" on the tang may be partially effaced, but there is enough left there to make out. The pattern number (3005) stamped on the back takes care of the rest.

As for posting the pictures, if you click on "Reply With Quote" on BigBiscuit's post with your pictures showing, you'll be able to see what the code needs to look like.

Welcome, and nice knife!
 
When ID'ing knives, you should first "read the knife and don't worry about what the markings happen to say". Photos are essential for an ID. But in this case, I recognized the Winchester pattern number before the photos finished loading on my computer. Then I saw the photos, and it looked like a Winchester. And I saw what remains of the stamp and recognized it as a Winchester stamp. HOW it was stamped is just as important as what it happens to say. Then I clicked on my "Winchester" folder and pulled up the catalog scan for you.

There are lots of fakes and reworks, especially for a popular brand like Winchester. There's presently someone asking about a fake Winchester on the first page of Levine's ID forum. It is important to look at lots of GOOD examples of antique knives. Unfortunately, there are a LOT of bad examples.
 
What a handsome old soldier you have there Harold. Used and taken care of. There ain't nothing in the knife world to compare to a nice knife with honest wear handed down from one generation to the next. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Will
 
DrPenguin said:
What a handsome old soldier you have there Harold. Used and taken care of. There ain't nothing in the knife world to compare to a nice knife with honest wear handed down from one generation to the next. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Will
Click to expand...

^^

It is a real treat.
 
Welcome to the porch Harold. You're in the right place to start the hobby and you won't find a more knowledgeable and friendly bunch of folks.

Chris
 
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