Imperial Hecho en Mexico

Codger_64

Codger_64

Moderator
Joined
Oct 8, 2004
Messages
62,324
Those of you who have had the Schradebay bug since before the shutdown may remember seeing a couple of groups of knives with the Imperial stamp made in Mexico. After mucho spleculation, we unofficially decided that they were samples sent to Schrade from a Mexican cutlery vying for some export business, but the effort didn't go anywhere. Hopefully we'll eventually hear the srtaight scoop on this export/import atempt.

Here is a knife I recently got for a few centavos out of curiosity. Whazzit?



Codger
 
Interesting....

I have seen several of the "Mexico" schrades on ebay lately. The deer bust on that one kinda looks like this Imperial, IMO:

Imperial003.jpg


Maybe there is a legitimate connection...

Glenn
 
After some digging, I find that the Mexico trademark was used for a short period during which Imperial Providence tried to save costs.

This knife was produced in the days of Imperial Knife Associated Companies, which was between '46 and '85 ( Imperial Providence was the manufactory under the IKAC umbrella, IKAC became ISC in '85). The Ulster Stag Head example of the handle style as late as 1960 suggests a rough time period for these of 1960-1985. More research may pin down the date better. Glenn, what is the tangstamp on your knife?

Codger
 
As you requested...

ImpTS.jpg


Glenn
 
We are still in a "hen or the egg" situation with these knives. While we now can be sure of their Imperial/Ulster origins, until some more extra-manufacturer resources become available, we can only know that these knives were made while Imperial Providence existed, were also made under the Ulster tang in 1960-61, and briefly made in Mexico as a cost saving experiment by Imperial. Anyone know the disposition of the Imperial archives when they moved to Ellenville? LT? You got 'em in shed number five? Anyone have hardware catalogs or ads showing these from other that 60-61?

Here are two more that sold on eBay at the same time I bought mine.



Codger
 
glennbad said:
As you requested...

ImpTS.jpg


Glenn
Click to expand...
Does anyone have a copy of Goins where this Imperial with the crown and vertical U.S.A. tangstamp is dated? It is the same as my Kamp King utility/scout knife circa 1974.
 
From Goins' Encyclopedia.....
"A small crown is over the "ia" in Imperial. The "USA" is on the right side and is vertical. The knife has shell handles."
Circa 1954-1988.
Hope that helps a bit.

Bill
 
Sorry if my delay in thanks bothered you. I appreciate your taking the time to look it up for me. I just hadn't checked back into this thread in a couple of days. Pool construction has been slow, but everyone decided to get their pools opened and repaired at the last minute before the Memorial Day weekend, as usual.

I have neither edition of the Goins book (yet), and have been curious as to the improvements made in the second edition. Which do you have, first, second, or both?

1954-1988 is quite a spread, so that really doesn't narrow the search much. I have found several more Imperial patterns with the Mexico mark, always so far the cheaper patterns, such as the ones shown and a keychain knife. It has surprised me that there were such a variety of patterns involved in this, what I think was a short term endevour. At least six patterns now that I know of, and I would not be surprised if more surfaced.

Thanks again, Bill. :thumbup:

Codger
 
No sweat, I guess I had a bad day. :o Sorry for being cranky.

I have the second edition of Goins' book.

Bill
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top