Dave Thinkstoomuch
BANNED
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2009
- Messages
- 1,196
I have wanted one of these stag and Baron etched "Ranger Edition" knives for a while and today's mail brought this fine example.
It's totally complete bling-wise and has some nice stag so I thought I would fully showcase it. The mirror-finish on the blade is the perfect background for the etch too.
First to quote some excellent info from Codger in another thread (Thanks Codger!):
"The National Park Service 75th Anniversary Commemorative was begun in early 1990, and as a special project, really was developed and produced quickly. First samples sent for ideas were off the shelf items.
50DU
TV90 (A true Value special scrim)
An unidentified ebony handled knife with special blade etch
DS2 The 2nd Federal Duck Stamp commemorative knife.
By June, the design and specs were coming together, with prototype approval request needed by the end of the month to make a fall delivery deadline. The first number assigned was 50NP, as the 5OT pattern was chosen. It was first specified to have brass bolsters, changed to nickle silver. Sample orders call for three fibron (impregnated wood) samples, one in burnt orange, golden brown, and oak. Two samples were also ordered in genuine stag, one natural and one burnt. By mid August, the new product information sheet was issued detailing the order. By then the artwork for the etch, shield, and packaging had been sampled and approved. The order was for 6,500 serialized pieces (later changed to 6,000) in presentation boxes with tiled lids. As you know, golden brown fibron handles were selected, and the production number for the issue was changed to NPS1. Brass linings were initially specified, but later changed to nickle silver, then back I believe. This issue was to have a antiqued silver coined shield.. First 500 knives were due to be shipped by late October, with the balance by January of 1991. Retail was listed at $129.99.
A second order of 3,000 serialized knives was ordered with natural stag handles, and blade etch. These were to have a gold plated coined shield. These were to be shipped by January 1991.
In November, a silver and black medallion was added to the packaging tray of the NPS1, and a gold and black medallion to the NPS2. The latter was dubbed "The Ranger", and bore a special etch done by Baron Tech, and was to be direct sales to Park Service employees only.
During the development stages, a 515SC (NPS515) was discussed, to be a scrimshaw edition with art patterned after the fancier box lid tiles, a bison, and a blade etch done inhouse. NPS3 was a working name for this issue, and 5,000 were estimated. They were scheduled to begin shipping in December of 1990. These were to be clampacked in a gift box. Another 5,000 were listed in January 1991 to be boxed instead of clampacked, given the number NPS3B.
In March of 1991, yet another issue was listed, the NPS4. These 1,000 were to be serialized 5OT pattern with golden brown fibron handles, gold filled blade etch, and coined nickle silver shield to match the NS bolsters and linings. These were to be packed in polybags with brochures and shipped in bulk boxes of fifty knives each."
Here are some other threads with more good info and pics of these knives:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ce-stag-and-wood-5ots?highlight=national+park
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/481771-Schrade-Knife-value?highlight=national+park
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ome-Schrade-Scrimshaw?highlight=national+park
The display is very attractive too with it's tile top etc. I must say this is one of my favorite SFOs. Grab one if you can!
Pics galore:
It's totally complete bling-wise and has some nice stag so I thought I would fully showcase it. The mirror-finish on the blade is the perfect background for the etch too.
First to quote some excellent info from Codger in another thread (Thanks Codger!):
"The National Park Service 75th Anniversary Commemorative was begun in early 1990, and as a special project, really was developed and produced quickly. First samples sent for ideas were off the shelf items.
50DU
TV90 (A true Value special scrim)
An unidentified ebony handled knife with special blade etch
DS2 The 2nd Federal Duck Stamp commemorative knife.
By June, the design and specs were coming together, with prototype approval request needed by the end of the month to make a fall delivery deadline. The first number assigned was 50NP, as the 5OT pattern was chosen. It was first specified to have brass bolsters, changed to nickle silver. Sample orders call for three fibron (impregnated wood) samples, one in burnt orange, golden brown, and oak. Two samples were also ordered in genuine stag, one natural and one burnt. By mid August, the new product information sheet was issued detailing the order. By then the artwork for the etch, shield, and packaging had been sampled and approved. The order was for 6,500 serialized pieces (later changed to 6,000) in presentation boxes with tiled lids. As you know, golden brown fibron handles were selected, and the production number for the issue was changed to NPS1. Brass linings were initially specified, but later changed to nickle silver, then back I believe. This issue was to have a antiqued silver coined shield.. First 500 knives were due to be shipped by late October, with the balance by January of 1991. Retail was listed at $129.99.
A second order of 3,000 serialized knives was ordered with natural stag handles, and blade etch. These were to have a gold plated coined shield. These were to be shipped by January 1991.
In November, a silver and black medallion was added to the packaging tray of the NPS1, and a gold and black medallion to the NPS2. The latter was dubbed "The Ranger", and bore a special etch done by Baron Tech, and was to be direct sales to Park Service employees only.
During the development stages, a 515SC (NPS515) was discussed, to be a scrimshaw edition with art patterned after the fancier box lid tiles, a bison, and a blade etch done inhouse. NPS3 was a working name for this issue, and 5,000 were estimated. They were scheduled to begin shipping in December of 1990. These were to be clampacked in a gift box. Another 5,000 were listed in January 1991 to be boxed instead of clampacked, given the number NPS3B.
In March of 1991, yet another issue was listed, the NPS4. These 1,000 were to be serialized 5OT pattern with golden brown fibron handles, gold filled blade etch, and coined nickle silver shield to match the NS bolsters and linings. These were to be packed in polybags with brochures and shipped in bulk boxes of fifty knives each."
Here are some other threads with more good info and pics of these knives:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ce-stag-and-wood-5ots?highlight=national+park
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/481771-Schrade-Knife-value?highlight=national+park
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...ome-Schrade-Scrimshaw?highlight=national+park
The display is very attractive too with it's tile top etc. I must say this is one of my favorite SFOs. Grab one if you can!
Pics galore:
The scan of this blade reflected very differently than my first example but is still worth posting. Baron did/does nice work and I like the way the tallest tree and the buffalo "peak out" at you when the knife is closed.
