I have a 1993 503SC Scrimshaw Limited Edition with two bass feeding on the handle and no "scrimshaw" etch on the blade. It is the same as the one in the 1989 Schrade advertisement with the picture of the bald eagle in the background on the "collectors of schrade" site.
It's one of my favorites - it came with the traditional blue and white "scrimshaw" box with the mountain lake scene on the front, the white cardboard sleeve, a sheepskin "registration certificate" (where I got the 1993 date from) and the blue warranty/product registration/proper use/sharpening/message from Walter A. Gardiner paperwork. It is supermint and I don't care about the resale value, 'cause I will not sell this one ever!
My question is, does anyone else out there have an 503SC without the blade etch? I notice that the picture Codger posted doesn't have the etch on the blade either, but all the advertisements all have the etch on the blade. Is a scrim without the etch common?