Winchester model #s

The Fort

The Fort

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I believe that the "Black Box" Winchester knives, with red lettering on the box, all have four digit model numbers.The first number seems to designate the number of blades. Does anyone know, specifically, what the other numbers refer to? I'm just curious! Thanks!
 
I don't know but it's a good question. I can see how you might make the assumption about the first number. ]

If you look at all of the Queen-made Winchesters, there are exceptions. The 15125 1/2 has more than 4 numbers and the the first number is a 1 but the knife has 3 blades: http://www.bluegrasscutlery.com/W151512512.html I think the linked knife is from 2010. I don't know if there are old exceptions as well--I haven't looked.

The second number seems to often be 9 if the covers are bone and 5 if the covers are stag. But I don't know if there are exceptions.

If you don't get an answer here, you might send Bluegrass Cutlery an email: http://www.bluegrasscutlery.com/index.html
 
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Thanks for replying Jake! I wasn't surprised to see you popping up first in this thread. I'm oftentimes enlightened by your knowledge of traditional folders. Thank you for all that you bring to "the porch"! I will contact Bluegrass Cutlery, if nobody here comes up with an answer. Good suggestion!
 
It's an intriguing question and one that seems to have its own logic for an answer. Jake is right, contacting them is the only real choice.

In the meantime, I'd add my own observations on this fine series. I really like the Black Box with red letters series which I believe ran from 1987 to approx 1992. A very large number of patterns were produced by Queen under contract. It is claimed that they used old Rogers Bone from 70 years before - so about the close of WW 1. Whether this is true or if it's some internet myth passed on I can't say. However, the bone and jigging is very beautiful on the few examples I have, really unlike anything around now or recently. My list is as follows:

2921-87 Coffin Jack
2857-87 Teardrop Jack
2851-88 Small Gunstock Jack
2903 - 90 Swell Centre Pen ( I use this one a great deal)

Three of them are 2 spring Jack knives, 1 is a single spring double end Pen. all have jigged bone. The last numbers are of course the year of manufacture.

3964 - 87 Stockman with small federal shield and satin finish blades
3971 -89 Swell Centre Whittler (another favourite of mine)

These are the three blade bone knives.

You could try contacting AL (Mad Merry Monk) he has possibly the entire collection and he very kindly gave me a Teardrop Jack as a present, for which I'm endlessly grateful. He certainly has a lot of knowledge of the series and might know the meaning of the tang numbers.

Thanks, Will

IMG_4366.jpg
 
Thanks for your suggestion and input Will. I just sent Al a message. Hopefully he'll chime in and educate all of us.
 
No response from Bluegrass Cutlery! Nothing back from Mad Merry Monk either. Anyone?
 
Thanks Jeff, but maybe I didn't make myself clear. I'm trying to find out what each individual digit in the model number designates. For example: The #2851 Gunstock pattern has 2 blades. I believe that's what the "2" in the model number designates. So, what about the "8"? The"5"? The "1"? The #3964 is a stockman, so the "3" would be the number of blades, I assume. I'm looking for any rhyme or reason on the 9-6-4 I hope that clarifies it a little better.
 
Yeah, I was leaving the house just as I found the above link, and didn't have time to explain. I don't have your answer, but thought the picture of all the knives with their model numbers might provide a clue. Now that I'm home and took time to look it over, I'm not sure it helps much. The mystery continues!
 
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