This certainly looks like a true Schrade 171 to me.
I have a Ducks Unlimited edition of this knife, and the nomenclature on the blade seems to be some sort of silk screening as opposed to being stamped, etched, or engraved. Perhaps yours was the same and simply wore off through use?
Either way, it's hard to beat a 171 for $40 dollars.
Clean it up and enjoy.

-Bruce