Help Me with info on not so Traditional Folder

[ebdyguy]

Hello !

I mentioned this knife in my new member post and I am afraid there might be more anticipation on seeing pictures than the knife really warrants. I did mention that it was unique looking to me and one I want to hang on to. It caught my eye as being a short fixed blade when sheathed but I was surprised when I pulled it out for the first time to discover that it is actually a folding knife. The folded blade measured 4-1/2” but opens up and locks to 7-3/4”. The only marking is as shown with SCOPE in large letters at the center of an oval and “Instr.” and “Germany” within the oval in very small letters. Stainless is marked as well. Sorry I could not get a better close up picture. The very rough stag grips measure about 3-1/2” in length.

I could not find any similar knives or reference to a German company that made these type of blades. So I am hoping someone here can give me some information about the manufacturer, the age & quality of their work, etc. Since I can’t find any information I am not considering this to be collectible other than the fact that I like it and it belonged to my dad. Thankful and appreciative of any help you can offer.

Bill

 

[afishhunter]

Nice swing guard.
Böker (among others) made them.
They were a fairly popular hunting knife in the 1950's and 1960's if memory serves.

I don't remember for sure, but I think the SS may have used some during WW II.

 

[Jack Black]

A very traditional pattern, made in Sheffield, Germany, and the USA (and more recently in China).

 

[Jsega51]

Huh that’s a really cool knife. Looks to have some great stag on it!

 

[Jolipapa]

Hello !

I mentioned this knife in my new member post and I am afraid there might be more anticipation on seeing pictures than the knife really warrants. I did mention that it was unique looking to me and one I want to hang on to. It caught my eye as being a short fixed blade when sheathed but I was surprised when I pulled it out for the first time to discover that it is actually a folding knife. The folded blade measured 4-1/2” but opens up and locks to 7-3/4”. The only marking is as shown with SCOPE in large letters at the center of an oval and “Instr.” and “Germany” within the oval in very small letters. Stainless is marked as well. Sorry I could not get a better close up picture. The very rough stag grips measure about 3-1/2” in length.

I could not find any similar knives or reference to a German company that made these type of blades. So I am hoping someone here can give me some information about the manufacturer, the age & quality of their work, etc. Since I can’t find any information I am not considering this to be collectible other than the fact that I like it and it belonged to my dad. Thankful and appreciative of any help you can offer.

Bill

Nice swing guard.
Böker (among others) made them.
They were a fairly popular hunting knife in the 1950's and 1960's if memory serves.

I don't remember for sure, but I think the SS may have used some during WW II.

A very traditional pattern, made in Sheffield, Germany, and the USA (and more recently in China).

The pattern is a dague à la d'Estaing because it is said the admiral d'Estaing, (no link with former president whose family bought a title- as Kipling says it's another story) asked for a knife he could use for dining and hunting as well.

As Jack said, it has been made since in a lot of countries.
But I don't think any Jerry soldier ever used one, except a stolen one maybe. The German paratroop standard was much more efficient and less dangerous at war. The SS had fixed blades with all the gimmicks and can't be mistaken.

 

[Ramrodmb]

Hello !

I mentioned this knife in my new member post and I am afraid there might be more anticipation on seeing pictures than the knife really warrants. I did mention that it was unique looking to me and one I want to hang on to. It caught my eye as being a short fixed blade when sheathed but I was surprised when I pulled it out for the first time to discover that it is actually a folding knife. The folded blade measured 4-1/2” but opens up and locks to 7-3/4”. The only marking is as shown with SCOPE in large letters at the center of an oval and “Instr.” and “Germany” within the oval in very small letters. Stainless is marked as well. Sorry I could not get a better close up picture. The very rough stag grips measure about 3-1/2” in length.

I could not find any similar knives or reference to a German company that made these type of blades. So I am hoping someone here can give me some information about the manufacturer, the age & quality of their work, etc. Since I can’t find any information I am not considering this to be collectible other than the fact that I like it and it belonged to my dad. Thankful and appreciative of any help you can offer.

Bill

I have seen knives similar to that referred to as a "folding Bowie knife" or "safety folder"
I believe Marbles made one way back when.

 

[afishhunter]

I have seen knives similar to that referred to as a "folding Bowie knife" or "safety folder"
I believe Marbles made one way back when.

Didn't the Marbles "Safety Folder" have a guard that protected the edge and tip when the knife was in the folded position? (Similar to the guard on their "Safety Axe")
I think the blade guard doubled as the lock when the knife was opened.

 

[ebdyguy]

Thanks for the replies ! I never really knew it was called a swing guard. At least that gives me more information than I had to start with. Still trying to find out some more exact information on age and manufacturer.

 

[eisman]

This is a very traditional knife, and most of the better German companies produced at least one version. Hoffritz, Hubertus, Wusthof, German Eye; all of those and more can be found. It's unfortunate that "Scope" is so common a word, because that's going to make searching the net really hard for that brand. My guess is it's from the 1960's. The pattern is usually called a folding bowie, although there are other, better names for the pattern.

 

[Arathol]

Scope Instr. is more likely to be an import company of some sort. The were more than a few that imported knives from Europe in the 50s and 60s.