Vintage Imperial Scout Pocket Knife

 According to Wikipedia: 

 Imperial Schrade Corp. was an American knife manufacturer of hunting knives, pocketknives, utility knives, and bayonets during the 20th and early 21st centuries. The consolidation of five forerunner companies, including its namesakes, the Imperial Knife Company, founded 1916, and the Schrade Cutlery Company, founded in 1904, Imperial Schrade manufactured its products in the United States and Ireland and sold through hardware stores, department stores, and on military bases. The original company's fortunes declined and in 2004 it entered into bankruptcy where all equipment and intellectual property was sold off to reimburse creditors. The name and intellectual property (but not the factory nor equipment) was bought by Taylor Brands and used for marketing purposes. As of 2016, these brands are owned by Smith & Wesson

The knife shown below, which is marked "Scout" on the jigged bone handle, is marked "Imperial, Prov. R.I., so it predates the selling of the original company.  

According to A.I.:

 "A vintage Imperial scout pocket knife is a highly collectable multi-blade utility tool manufactured in the United States by the Imperial Knife Company. Most of these durable, nostalgic pocket knives feature a carbon steel blade and were produced in Providence, Rhode Island between the 1930s and 1980s."

The "Scout Knife" seems to come in a variety of styles, some with three, some with four blade arrangements (mine is four).  The handle label on mine has the word "Scout" in what appears to be an Old English font. Others are cursive or just regular print.  Based what appears to be a rather unique can opener (see picture, left end), I am guessing this is an older model. Maybe the 1950s? There are at least three different kinds of can openers: one from before 1945, one after (30s, 40s, and 50s?), and one from more modern times (later 20th century). The style of this knife reflects the period between 1936 and 1952 based on the tang stamp. This knife model was made, it seems for the Boy Scouts and even for the military.  

Price?  Hard to tell.   

 


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

SMITH AND WESSON BENJI - A Fun Little Knife, but Well Made

BUCK Selector - A Discontinued, Yet Good Idea in a Folding Knife