LB-7E with fancy leaf engraving and bling

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

Here's a real nice 1980's LB-7 with what I believe to be Schrade factory engraving. This leaf pattern is one I haven't seen come out of the Schrade Custom Shop before and I am very pleased that the knife came unused, non-monogrammed and complete. It was quite badly tarnished so I did polish this one.

I am thinking "LB7E" stands for "engraved" but that may have been written on post-factory (or not). The fact it's on a little sticker makes me think it's a Schrade factory marking though. The "LB-7-BW" designation on the sleeve is out of place. That stands for an LB-7 with a black basket weave sheath. That sheath came in two models, one with metal clip and one with leather belt loop (as indicated). At first glance the sheath doesn't match the sleeve so it may not be a complete original package but the verdigris inside the sheath matches the knife so it has been stored in it for a long time. The black line on the sleeve might very well be crossing out the "LB-7-BW" designation though so my guess is that this is indeed just how this knife left the factory (with this sheath in this box).

Any and all comments welcome.

Here are pics of it from every angle and pics of the bling. Note the markings on the box and sleeve:

 

[Zidfeldts]

That knife looks amazing!

 

[Codger_64]

Note SCHRADE CUTLERY CORP. That was before Baer's purchase of the remaining Imperial stocks making the company Imperial Schrade.

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

Note SCHRADE CUTLERY CORP. That was before Baer's purchase of the remaining Imperial stocks making the company Imperial Schrade.

Thanks for high-lighting that! I read it as as another indicator that the package is correct. A "Y" single-alpha serial means very early 1980's (they were selling "AA" serials by 1983) and the Baer buy-out took place in 1983 IIRC.

 

[Codger_64]

You might also look at the other patterns offered in the quadfold brochure to help with dating. But early 80's sounds right.

 

[tongueriver]

First I ever heerd tell of such a varmint. I like it. The leaf motif is different and refreshing.

 

[delmas2nd]

it looks like on one side they left room for a monogram. three side have full leaf pattern and one has a bar thru it. i saw this one and let it good, glad you got such a pretty example of my favorite knife.

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

Thanks for the comments guys!

I checked the catalogs and the black basket weave SAS-16 sheath first showed up in the 1983 catalog. Between that marking, the serial # and the "Schrade Cutlery Corp." on the paperwork I should think this knife came out of the factory in late 1982 or 1983 before the "Imperial Schrade Corp." change. Due to the serial I lean towards a 1982 manufacturing date but that's just my best guess.

 

[edbeau]

Great looking knife and sheath. Looks good for a thirty year old.