Schrade 499 at the threshermans reunion

[gradall5200]

There is a local thing around the area I live once a year called the threshermans reunion. Its a bunch of older farmers and there familys carrying on the traditions and ways of the old times. Cutting wood, threshing, shelling corn, butchering, blacksmith work, etc,etc,etc. Anyway along with tractors, food stands, and tractor pulls there comes a darn good flea market. Last year it was so so. But the wife and I and the son just got home with a few good finds. but with a 2 year old its hard to look through a flea market too carefully. So were gonna go back tomorrow but there was a guy there with a ton of schrade knives and he had a 499 with sheath in pretty good shape for $70 bucks. Now I know he will come down some, but my question is this. Now I know from a collectors stand point a knife is only worth what its worth to you, and since I would have no intention of ever reselling it if I was to buy it does the price seem " resonable"??? This is just a knife Im very unfamiliar with any suggestions. -Joel
P.S.--- there is a ton more schrades down there and I will hopefully be posting a bunch of pics over the weekend !!!

 

[Larry303]

The 499 is the hardest to find of the whole 49ER series as it was not produced as long as the 498's and 497"s which seem reasonably common. Is it Staglon or Leather handle ?..not that it makes a lot of difference as both are reasonably scarce followed by the 491 which is also not common for the same reasons above.
I have seen excellent 499's go just over the $100 as it is usually the one collectors chase to complete the 49Er collection. It took me ages to complete mine even bought several from U.K. however I now have both sets Leather and Staglon most with mint sheaths boxes and bling......$70 is right on the money IMHO. Good luck Joel.

P.S. I have the dates in my files I havnt looked at yet but I think the 499 was produced near the end of the series and folk tended to be ho hum about them at that stage as they had seen and had available so may 498's and 497"s and people just werent collectors as such in the late 70's like now.....You can see a 499 at the bottom of page 2 of my corner of Larry Vickery's site if you're interested. I have since got the leather 499 after those photos were taken.

 

[gradall5200]

Larry, thanks a lot, I do appreciate it. I think Im gonna go after it but I just wanted to make sure with you guys first. Lots of good info too so thanks again larry. and the handle is staglon. - Joel s

 

[gradall5200]

Well after nearly an hour of haggeling and coming back and leaving we settled on $54 bucks. its not mint by any means and needs some oil and a little cleaning but now I have a new set to try to make up. thanks again larry, I do appreciate it.- Joel