Info on an old Smith & Wesson knife

orca8589

orca8589

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Jan 27, 2007
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This is the first photo link I've posted here, and it's a little small, but hopefully it will be large enough to see.

This is a photo of a Smith & Wesson knife that I bought last Christmas, more for sentimental reasons than anything else. My dad had one of these in the early 1980's, with a drop point.

My question is, did S&W make these, or were they sourced out to another mfr.? Also, does anyone know what steel was used in the blades, and handles. Is there a timeframe of when they were made - from when to when?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

thx - cpr

http://s406.photobucket.com/albums/pp142/rolesfamily_photos/?action=view&current=0828081022.jpg

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp142/rolesfamily_photos/jpg.jpg
 
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Smith doesn't make their own knives. Now, and at least as early as the mid-1990s, they have been made/distributed/imported by Taylor cutlery. Taylor also bought the Schrade trademarks and patterns after they went under.
 
I'm aware of the Taylor Brands S&W's; the knife I'm referring to was made (maybe) by S&W in the 1980's. Apparently, it was made well before Taylor took over the S&W brand name.

thx - cpr
 
The etch style indicates a Taylor contracted S&W to me.

Some of the earlier S&W knives did not go through Taylor and were actually distributed by S&W (I am not sure who made them.)
 
S&W made their own knives through the early 80's when they sold their knife operation to Vermont Knife Co. After '93 they were made under license to Taylor. Early knives were Blackie Collins designs. The knife appears to be a "Maverick". What material is the insert?
 
Thanks JB!

Does that etch indicate Taylor era to you?
 
Gus, the Maverick was first one was introduced in 1980 in the new series (not designed by Blackie Collins). It wasn't discontinued until the early '90's, IIRC. That leaves a lot of room for guessing as to the maker. BTW, a small company in Rock Hill, SC (Dillingham Graphics) etched a lot of the earlier S&W knives (I lived in the area and saw the operation).
 
JB in SC said:
What material is the insert?
Click to expand...

I believe it's rosewood.

Good info, more than I knew this a.m. Thanks guys.

I'm hoping there's more info out there; I'd like to give my dad some history on it. This was his favorite knife, and he lost it in the early 80's. He was a professional sign painter & signage maker, and he used that knife for everything. I've looked for years and finally found it. I gave him the drop point, and I bought the clip point.

On a sappy note, I just happened to be on the phone with him at Christmas when he opened the box I sent it in. He loved it, and immediately started reminiscing about his sign-painting days. LOTS of stories there.

thx - cpr
 
I forgot to add, it came with a black leather "pull-the-dot" sheath; identical to the kind of sheath my dad had in '81 or '82, before the knife was lost. Attached to the back of the sheath was a little instruction sheet, with "pull-the-dot" instructions. Surprisingly difficult to open if you don't do it right.

thx - cpr
 
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