Schrade-Walden 256/Assessment Help

[rprocter]

This Schrade-Walden 256 looks too good to be true. I bought it on ebay from a seller who sells a wide range of older knives and said that this one had been in his collection "for at least 20 years".
For a knife that is at least 50 years old it is as bright and shiny throughout as a just received custom folder from a top knifemaker. Even the inner surfaces of the liners and springs are highly polished.
The Peachseed bone scales look to have a slightly different jigging from other S-W knives of the same time period.
And finally, the master blade is etched "Hand Made" which i have never seen on any Schrade knife.

For comparison here it is with a S-W 804 and 891. Both of these have the pattern # stamped on the backside tang of the master blade as does the 256 so all should be from about the same time period.

I would like to hear the opinions of experienced collectors especially if you have a S-W 256 to post for comparison.
Is this an original Schrade-Walden 256 ?

roland

 

[waynorth]

The knife and blade finishes look correct. I have seen that 'hand made etch' - I'll have to look and see if I have one. The knife looks like it has only seen simi-chrome or some such polish.

 

[thawk]

It's a keeper for sure Roland. Clear cut case where the photo on the auction held back the bidding. It's a beautiful knife.

 

[rprocter]

Thank you Gentlemen. I respect your venerable experience with vintage Schrade knives. Somehow it seems 'different' from my other Schrade-Walden knives but now i know it is a real one and it was a heck of a good deal for me.
This knife sets a new standard of "mint" for me and in part this is what created my doubts. I think this pattern was not made in great numbers as it's the only S-W 256 i have seen in years of ebaying other than the example that Hal has.
Should make a pretty good EDC for my gardening work.
Charlie if you do manage to find your Schrade folder with this "Hand Made" etch, please post it.
roland