TL-29 Question

JK Knives

JK Knives

Moderator
Joined
Mar 6, 2001
Messages
28,221
Picked up a Utica TL-29 today at an estate sale for $3, and some things seem unusual to me.



Both the main blade and screwdriver blade have punch marks in them near the handle.



Utica stamp.



TL-29 stamped into the wood handle.




I`ve never come across one like this, and was wondering if it was something unusual.
 
Not sure what the punch marks are, but you got a good deal on the knife. Early Utica TL-29s had wood handles, and later went to composite. I would guess this one was around 1950s to 1960s. WWII models usually have a steel liner lock, due to brass being so dear during the war.

The fact that this is wood and stamped TL-29 indicates it was military issue, as the designation was mostly dropped once the military stopped issuing them.
 
Cool find, JK; congrats! Sorry I don't know enough to answer your questions, but in my experience, dma1965 is a reliable source for TL-29 info (and he's done some sweet mods on some of his).

- GT
 
Those punch marks are made by the Rockwell hardness tester, most likely they were testing the hardness of the tangs. The government was VERY strict on the specs of its contract knives, if an inspector came by he'd randomly test a number of knives in a lot, if any weren't up to snuff he'd make you scrap the ENTIRE run! Nice example there JK, it's in beautiful shape!

Eric
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top