Ted’s boxed Old Timer Hunter

[Codger_64]

Here is a find that you don’t see every day, a Sears Roebuck SFO Ted Williams etched #10600 15OT from 1964 with original box, tray and plastic cover. I showed it briefly a while back and thought that some of you might like to see it in more detail.

We know that Henry Baer applied for the design patent on this pattern on August 7th, 1964 and it issued on November 9th of 1965. Records show that 5,346 of the Schrade Walden knives, and 836 of the Sears #10600 were shipped in 1964, before the patent issued. 6,244 of the SW shipped in 1965 along with 2,552 of the #10600 Sears knives. Of this 1965 shipment it is unknown how many bore the “PAT. PEND” etch.

The Sears number for the pattern changed to #21635 in 1967, so we know the pattern was only shipped for three years under that first Sears number. It was not marked on the knife via etch or stamp, only on the box.

These first knives did not use a Craftsman U.S.A. tang stamp as did later shipments, rather it retained the Schrade Walden tang stamp with the Ted Williams signature etched on the blade and displayed in three places on the box.

It retains the production “OLD TIMER” shield stamp. It is also accompanied by the first “waffle” imprinted, laced sheath with small snap choil strap and fiber/aluminum blade guard insert. These quickly fell out of favor with customer and manufacturer alike for lack of durability and were replaced by a plainer, sturdier sheath.

Later Sears 15OT pattern knives such as #21635 15OTSR (1967) came with the newer design riveted sheaths, had Craftsman U.S.A. stamps, and came in a fold down box marked “Sportsman’s Knife”.

I’m not sure where this photo came from, so if it is yours, we’s certainly like to see more of it.

Michael

 

[Trent Rock]

I like Ted's logo with the check mark :thumbup:
Great info as usual Codger............

 

[rprocter]

another early 15OT, with Pat. Pending and sheath with painted green leaves, in "mint" condition recently sold on ebay. i think the 15OT is a great knife, heavy feel, i.e, substantial, and so authoratative in the hand, so i really wanted this knife, but my $112 bid was trumped.
perhaps someone here has it now and could post pics ? roland

 

[thawk]

I really like the top picture. That sheath is a real dandy.

 

[Codger_64]

That first design sheath, when factory fresh, displays beautifully. However it had serious design flaws. The sheath was a single folded layer and laced with a leather thong. A mis-sheathed blade would sail right thru the lace. So they added an aluminum reinforced blade protector to solve that. But...that only worked so-so. Too tight and the insert traveled out with the knife. Too loose and it wedged into the bottom of the sheath. Squashed and the knife missed the protector when inserted and went thru the lace or sheath face. Another mistake was using leather composit...reconstituted leather fiber, not top grain cowhide. It was not very durable, thus a lot of early Deerslayer (first called "Hunter") knives sport later design replacement sheaths.

Ted went to work with Sears in 1961, so all Williams signature sporting goods from Sears are post 1960. At least until my gathering of old Sears catalogs makes a liar of me again. I am still working on the 1940's, so it will be a while before I have to pay that piper!

Michael