There are many kinds of collectors. Some will tell you that only perfect, complete, new in the box knives are collectable. Some are content to have an example of the pattern type, regardless of condition and variant. Some want one example of each variant of a pattern. I personally feel that this is the only way you can really learn what went on in the span of production, but for some, it is all useless minutia. I bought examples covering most of the production period of the LB7, but I know full well that some escaped my examination. But even when you could ask Schrade employees what and why for, often there were no real answers. A byproduct of manufacturing engineering change orders, or periodic rotation of stock held for warranty replacements. A replacement knife wouldn't need a serial number for loss warranty. It is, however, another type of the pattern, and a complete LB7 collection would have one. Are there any LB7 collectors with this much dedication to the pattern? Does a truly complete comprehensive LB7 collection exist? I dunno.
Michael
