School me on Winchester (Vintage)

[sceva]

I just bought a nice used Winchester pen knife off the forum that will go into my carry rotation ( I like small one and two blade knives) Appears to be slightly longer than my GEC 09 Esquires. I know about the Black Box knives from Bluegrass Cutlery but I do not know much about the older Winchesters; it appears that Remington has a bigger following than Winchester in regard to the older ones.
The knife is a 3" (equal end?) 2963 with a spear and pen blade at opposite ends, nice looking jigged bone scales. Markings are "Winchester Trademark Made in USA" on the main blade with "2963" on the opposite side, The pen blade says "Winchester" at an across the choil.

This is a nice thin knife with the blades nested very closely

Curious to know: Time frame, Maker ( Did Winchester make their own?) If not vintage, what is it

 

[waynorth]

Nice Winchesters, sceva !! Winchester bought out Napanpoch and Eagle brand cutleries, and made their own knives mostly from the end of WWI to late into WWII!! Good knives, but Win. was not the advertising powerhouse that was Remington!!

 

[Hivoltage]

I’d love to know more as well and hope more people chime in. After 10 years of GEC binge I’m starting to appreciate real vintage more. Some of the old Winchester and Remington branded knives are really stunning.

 

[danno50]

Here is a good thread on Winchester:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/antique-winchester-knives-and-company-history-1919-1942.1712983/

 

[sceva]

Thanks Danno50; Lots of info.

Is this a Pen knife or something else? The main blade seems more of a Spear blade than a pen blade.

 

[danno50]

I would call it a pen knife. Most smaller knives with two blades, opening at opposite ends, are considered pen knives. Here is a catalog cut of your knife from a 1930 Winchester catalog reprint that I have. Nice knife in good condition.

 

[sceva]

Thanks; Here is a cut from the 1926-27 Catalog