Imperial

Imperial Knife Associated Co. was founded in 1947, as a joint effort between Ulster and Schrade. They were headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island.

IMPC4A, BSA # 1996. This is the classic BSA #1996 camp knife, with four blades: main , can opener, cap lifter/flat blade combo, and awl. The screwdriver blade was longer than later #1996 models, and is longer than the awl. Black, jigged handles, shield shaped BSA shield on main blade end, permanent shackle on end opposite the main blade. Smooth bolsters. Closed length 3 3/4". Manufactured 1949-1955.

MPC4A: The first Imperial Boy Scout knife. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

IMPC4A

IMPC4A: The flat blade screwdriver is longer than the awl in this version. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)
 
IMPC4A Imperial Boy Scout Knife
IMPC4A: Slight shrinkage of the handle indicate the scales are not bone.

(Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

IMPC4B, BSA #1052. Same as IMPC4A, but with white pearl handles, and a change of BSA model number.

 

IMPC4B: White pearl scales. (Courtesy Allen McBroom)

 

IMPC4C, BSA # 1996. Same as IMPC4A, but with a plastic shield. Manufactured 1955-1958. Thomas Linton has noticed a difference of thickness between the C and D versions.  "Just handled both the 4C and your 4D at the same time. Turns out the 4C is 21/32" thick and the 4D is only 35/64" thick. Very noticeable. Not too surprising, that is became the tools in the 4C are much thicker."

IMPC4C

IMPC4C: Plastic shield with clear overlay. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

IMPC4C

IMPC4C: Another example of the classic BSA #1996. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

IMPC4D, BSA # 1996. Similar to the IMPC4C, but with plastic shield and short screwdriver, and the D is thinner than the C. The screwdriver is shorter than the awl. Made 1958-1962. Thomas Linton has noticed a difference of thickness between the C and D versions.  "Just handled both the 4C and your 4D at the same time. Turns out the 4C is 21/32" thick and the 4D is only 35/64" thick. Very noticeable. Not too surprising, that is became the tools in the 4C are much thicker."

IMPC4D Imperial Boy scout Knife

IMPC4D

IMPC4E, BSA # 1996. Four blades: main, can opener, cap lifter/flat blade combo, awl. The screwdriver is shorter than the awl. BSA logo (First Class badge) is relief molded into the handle. Brown or reddish-brown handles. The handles on this model aged differently, resulting today in many different shades of handles and logos. Manufactured 1958-1962.

IMPC4E

IMPC4E: These are found in different shades of red and brown. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

IMPC4E

IMPC4E: Same model as the one above, but with darker shield, handles. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

IMPC4E

IMPC4E: Personal Scout knife, purchased new in 1961 in Ft. Worth, TX. (Courtesy Johnnie Fain)

IMPC4E BSA Knife

IMPC4E: Another shade of red and brown.

 

(Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

 
IMPC4F, BSA # 1996. Four blades: main, can opener, cap lifter/flat blade combo, awl. The screwdriver is shorter than the awl. Brown jigged handles, round shield. Manufactured 1963-1965.

IMPC4G, BSA #1045. Four blade camp knife: main, can opener, cap lifter/flat blade combo, awl. The screwdriver is shorter than the awl. 3 3/4" closed. Smooth, black plastic handles, Lanyard ring on end opposite the shield. BSA logo in white on main blade end. Manufactured 1973-1979.

IMPC4G

Rugged but sturdy version of the IMPC4G (Allen McBroom)

 

IMPC4H, BSA # 1045. Same as IMPC4G, but with white handles. Manufactured 1980-1981.

 

IMPC4H
Clean example of the IMPC4G (Allen McBroom)

 

IMPC4I, BSA #1045. Same as IMPC4G, but with brown handles. Manufactured 1982-1985.

 

IMPC4I
Brown handled IMPC4I (Allen McBroom)

 

IMPC4J, BSA #1045. Same as IMPC4G, but with red handles. Manufactured 1986-2007.

 

IMPC4J

 

IMPC4J: Red, smooth plastic nadles on a camp knife. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

IMPC4J

IMPC4J: A nice, clean example of this version of the classic BSA camp knife. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)
 
IMPC4J
Another clean example of the red Imperial known as the IMPC4J (Courtesy Allen McBroom)

 

IMPC5A, BSA #1046. Shorter than usual knife, only 3 1/2" closed. Natural rosewood handles, five blades: main can opener, cap lifter/flat blade combo, awl, Phillips screwdriver. No lanyard ring.The Phillips blade drops into a handle notch on the shield side. Manufactured 1952-1962.

IMPC5A 1

IMPC5A 2

IMPC5A 3

IMPC5A 4

IMPC5A: Rosewood handles and a short, five blade knife.  Totally cool, totally utilitarian. (Courtesy Allen McBroom)

IMPC5Ab

IMPC5A: Very nice example of this rosewood handled knife.

(Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

IMPC5A Fish

IMPC5A: Beautiful example with box. (Courtesy of Ron Fish)

 

IMPC5B, BSA #1043. Same as IMPC5A, but with white pearl handles. Manufactured dates NA.

IMPC5B

IMPC5B: White pearl handles make a nifty appearance. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

IMPC5B

IMPC5B: The nubby Phillips drops into a handle notch. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

 

IMPC5C, BSA #1046. Five blades: main, can opener, cap lifter/short flat blade combo, awl, short Phillips. Brown stag-appearing jigged handles, round shield on main blade end, 3 3/4" long. No lanyard ring. Manufactured 1963 - NA.

IMPC5C

IMPC5C: Five blade Imperial camp knife. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

IMPC5C

IMPC5C: The BSA Imperial "jack of all trades". (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

 
IMPC5D, BSA # NA. Same as IMPC5C, but with smooth plastic handles. Manufactured 1962-1963.

IMPN1A, BSA# NA. Stainless steel handles and single blade.  National Council logo on handles. Not found in Holbrook or Kerr guides.

IMPN1A Imperial BSA Knife

IMPN1A: Stainless, single blade National Council knife.

(Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)
IMPW2A, BSA #1066. Two blade knife, both blades hinged on same end. White handles, 2 7/8" long. Etching on main blade. The tang is stamped "Frontier" which was an Imperial mark. No shield. Manufactured 1982-1985.
IMPW2B, BSA # 1066 Same as IMPW2A, but with blades on same end, and no etching. Manufactured 1981.

Kershaw

 

Kershaw Knives, a Portland, Oregon company, began in 1974.  Today it is owned by the Japanese company KAI Group.

 KERL1A, Kershaw Model 3120.  Green textured handles, thought to have slightly smaller dimensions than the standardKershaw Black Gulch model.  Made in Japan. Some were stamped "Black Gulch" on the tang, some were not.

KERL1A Lockback Knife, Black Gulch tang

KERL1A: This one purchased at Camp Meriwether in 1988. Note "Black Gulch" on tang. (Courtesy Tim Kniser)

KERL1A with no Black Gulch on tang

KERL1A: This one purchased at St. Louis Council Office (Courtesy Ronald Schubert)

KERL1A tang closeup

KERL1A: Note absence of "Black Gulch" on tang. (Courtesy Ronald Schubert)

KERL1A tang with model number and "Japan"

KERL1A: Reverse of Schubert's knife showing country and model number (Courtesy Ronald Schubert)

 

 

Landers, Frary, and Clark

Landers, Frary, and Clark (L, F & C) This company began in 1853 as Landers & Smith Manufacturing Company, and in 1862 became known as Landers, Frary & Clark. They were in New Britain, Connecticut, and made Boy Scout knives for only nine years. They made a lengthy list of household products, and closed its doors for the last time in 1965.

LANC4A, BSA #1585, Kerr #LFC02BR, Holbrook L1  3 3/4" long knife. Black handles, lined bolsters, permanently attached shackle. Shackle end has two tools, an awl, and a one piece can opener. Opposite end has a main blade with short nick, and a combo flat blade screwdriver/cap lifter. Shield device is shaped like a badge, with a First Class emblem. Shield side scale has a notch for the can opener pull. LFC# 04666. Manufactured 1931-1939.

LANC4A

LANC4A B

LANC4A: Four blades, lined bolsters, one-piece can opener on shackle end. (Photos courtesy of Thomas Linton)

LANC4B, BSA #1586 Black, celluloid handles. Closed length 3 3/8". Four blades: Main blade, screwdriver/cap lifter combo, can opener, and leather punch (awl). Bolsters are smooth, and there is a permanently mounted bolster on the end opposite the shield end. the shield side has a notch in the handle for the can opener pull to rest. LFC# 04667. Manufactured 1931-1939.

L2 LF&C Knife

LANC4B: LF&C Knife shown full length

LFC Shield
LANC4B: LF&C Shield

LFC
LANC4B: Tang stamp showing "Universal" marking

LANC2A, BSA #N/A 3 1/2" long, black composition handles, smooth bolsters. Permanently attached shackle. Bolster on shackle end is shorter than the other bolster. The two blades are a main blade with short nail nick, and a combination flat blade screwdriver/cap lifter. LCF# 02668. Manufactured 1931-1933.

LANC3A, BSA #1564 3 1/2" long knife, black composite handles, three blades. No shackle. Shield end has two blades, one main with short nick, and one combination flat blade screwdriver/cap lifter. Opposite end has a one piece can opener. Shield scale has a notch for the vertical pull on the can opener. LFC# 03669. Manufactured 1934-1039.

LANC3B, BSA #1564 Same knife as the LANC3A, but with a removable belt shackle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New York Knife

New York Knife Co., located in Walden, NY, made official Boy Scout knives from 1911 until going out of business in 1931.
NEWC2A, BSA #1005 Two blade camp knife. Spear blade with long nail nick and pen blade on one end, removable shackle on other end. Ebony scales. One smooth bolster on blade hinge end. Banner shield with motto "Be Prepared". No BSA emblem. Manufactured 1917-1922.
NEW2CB, BSA #1005 Two blade camp knife. Sheep foot blade with long nail nick and pen blade on one end, large, permanent shackle on other end. Ebony scales. Both scales have a semi-circular thumb notch. One smooth bolster on blade hinge end. Banner shield with motto "Be Prepared". No BSA emblem. Manufactured 1911-1916.
NEWC2C, BSA #1005 Two blade camp knife. Spear blade with long nail nick and pen blade on one end, removable shackle on other end. Jigged bone scales. Both scales have a semi-circular thumb notch. One smooth bolster on blade hinge end. Banner shield with motto "Be Prepared". No BSA emblem. Manufactured 1922-1926.
NEWC2D, BSA #1450 Two blade camp knife. Banner shield with motto "Be Prepared". No BSA emblem. Jigged bone handlee, lined bolsters. Removable shackle. No thumb notch in scales. Blades are large clip blade, and similar sized, but unusual, blade with a combo angle jaw can opener on the end, and a cap lifter at the base of the blade. Manufactured 1920-1925.
NEWC2E, BSA #1568 Two blade camp knife. Clip point blade with long nail nick and punch blade with long nail nick on one end, shackle on other end. Blade hinge end has smooth bolsters. Jigged bone handles, and oval shield with First Class emblem. NYK Co. number is BS2. Manufactured 1926-1931.

NEWC4A, BSA #1004 Banner style shield with motto "Be Prepared". No BSA emblem on knife. Jigged bone handle, permanent shackle on end opposite spear blade, lined bolsters. Blades are spear with short nail nick, combo flat blade/cap lifter, one piece can opener, and smooth awl. Bone handles, closed length 3 5/8". Manufactured 1911-1916.

NEWC4A New York Knife

NEWC4A New York Knife (Photo courtesy Phil Stevens)

NEWC4A-b

NEWC4A New York Knife (Photo courtesy of Mr. Thomas Linton)

NEWC4B, BSA #1004 Same as NEWC4A, but with removable shackle. Manufactured 1917-1922.

NEWC4B

NEWC4B New York Knife. Note the detachable schackle.  (Photo courtesy Mr. Thomas Linton)

NEWC4C, BSA # NA Four blade camp knife, faux pearl handles, removable shackle on end opposite spear blade. Oval shield with First Class emblem, smooth bolsters. Blades are spear with short nail nick, combo flat blade screwdriver/wire scraper, combo can opener/cap lifter, spiral awl. The pull on the can opener is vertical, so there is a notch in the shield side for the pull. Can opener jaws are parallel. NYK Co. number was BS3. Manufactured 1928 until some undetermined later date.
NEWC4D, BSA #1566 Four blade camp knife, jigged bone handles, oval shield with First Class emblem, lined bolsters, removable shackle on end opposite spear blade. Blades are one piece can opener, smooth awl, skinny spear with short nail nick, and combo flat blade screwdriver/cap lifter. Can opener jaws are angled to each other. The top and bottom of each scale are almost parallel, not visibly tapered toward the ends. NYK Co. number is BS1. Manufactured 1923-1926.

NEWC4E, BSA #1566 Four blade camp knife, jigged bone handles, 3 5/8" closed length, removable shackle on end opposite spear blade, lined bolsters, oval shield with First Class emblem. Blades are clip point spear blade with short nail nick, combo flat blade screwdriver/cap lifter, and on the opposite end a one piece can opener with angled jaws, and a spiral awl. NYK Co. number is BS1. Manufactured 1926-1931.

NEWC4E fish

NEWC4E:  Clean, clean version of the NEWC4E.  (Photo courtesy of Mr. Ron Fish)

NEWC4E

NEWC4C, missing belt shackle, can opener missing or damaged. Note the spiral awl, can opener blade is closed (Courtesy Dmitri Pitarys)
NEWC4F, BSA #1566 Four blade camp knife, jigged bone handles, removable shackle on end opposite main blade, lined bolsters, oval shield with First Class emblem. Blades are spear main blade, combo flat blade screwdriver/wire stripper, and on opposite end a can opener with parallel jaws and a spiral awl. NYK Co. number is BS1. Manufactured 1923-1926.
NEWC4G, BSA #NA Four blade camp knife, pearl shell handles, 3 5/8" closed length, removable shackle on end opposite clip blade, lined bolsters, oval shield with First Class emblem. Blades are clip blade with short nail nick, combo flat blade screwdriver/cap lifter, and on the opposite end a one piece can opener with angled jaws, and a smooth awl. NYK Co. number is BS3. Manufactured 1928 until some later date.
NEWC4H, BSA #NA Four blade camp knife, jigged bone handles, 3 3/8" closed length, removable shackle on end opposite spear blade, lined bolsters, oval shield with First Class emblem. Blades are clip point blade with short nail nick, combo flat blade screwdriver/cap lifter, and on the opposite end a one piece can opener with angled jaws, and a spiral awl. NYK Co. number is BS1. (Same as NEWC4E, except 1/4" shorter.) Manufactured 1926-1931.
NEWC4I, BSA #1567 Four blade camp knife with jigged bone handles. 3 3/8" closed length. Four blades are clip blade with short nail nick, combo flat blade screwdriver/wire stripper on one end, and combo parallel jaw can opener/cap lifter and spiral awl on the shackle end. Lined bolsters and oval shield with First Class emblem. Can opener has vertical pull, so there is a slot in the shield side scale to accommodate the pull. NYK Co. number BS4. Manufactured 1926-1931.

NEWC4J, BSA #NA Four blade camp knife, black, jigged bone handle. Main black with long nail nick, one piece can opener, smooth awl, cap lifter/flat blad screwdriver combo.  3.75" closed, shackle non-removable, lined bolsters.  Back scale has nail notch for the awl.  This is etched on the main blade "Limited Edition" and "75 Diamond Jubilee" in a circle.  This was made to honor the first BSA knife ever, the NEWC4A, for the 75th anniversary of the BSA.  Tang is marked "New York Knife Co. U.S.A.".  Was originally sold in a gold-colred, red velvet lined presentation box with the gold-colored coin shown here. The actual knife was manufactured by Schrade, but was marked as "New York Knife".  Since nothing on the knife indicates it was made by Schrade, it is being listed with a NEW prefix, since this is where a collector would look.  20,000 of these were made, and they were serialized on the bolster opposite the bail (shackle).  The serial number on this one is 14473. 

 NEWC4K 1

NEWC4K 2

NEWC4K 3

NEWC4K Coin

NEWC4J, Shown open and closed, with presentation 75 Anniversary coin. (Courtsy: Allen McBroom)

NEWC4J

NEWC4J: In the presentation box, as sold. Serial number 01402.

(Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)

Remington

Remington Arms Company The Remington Arms Company came to be in 1816. Originally they were called E. Remington and Sons, and changed their name in 1888 to the Remington Arms Company. and began producing cutlery in 1920. Their plant in Bridgeport, Connecticut began producing Boy Scout knives in 1923, and continued making quality BSA knives until their cutlery division was sold to the Pal Blade Company in 1939. Remington-branded BSA knives returned to the market via contract production in 2009.

Group Photo of Remington Knives

Once upon a time, Remington Scout knives came in this great display box. (Courtesy Mark McClurg) 

REMC4A, BSA #1496, Remington #RS3333 The first Remington BSA knife, introduced in 1923. The REMC4A had four blades: a spear with short, thin nail nick, a smooth awl, a one-piece can opener, and a short flat blade screwdriver/cap lifter combo. The bolsters each had a single line, and a permanent shackle was on the end opposite the shield end. The shield was the "acorn" style shield. The can opener had a vertical pull, so there was a notch in the shield side handle to accomodate the vertical pull. This was produced 1923-1924.

REMC4A

REMC4A: Note the acorn shield and lined bolsters. (Courtesy Mark McClurg)
 

REMC4B, BSA #1496, Remington #RS3333 Four blade camp knife: Main blade, short flat blade/cap lifter combo, two-piece can opener, and leather awl. Brown bone handle, permanent knife bail on end opposite the shield. Shield is the BSA First Class emblem on an acorn shaped background. There is a notch in the shield side for the vertical can opener pull to fit in. Overall length is 3 3/4". Blade is etched with a horizontal BSA emblem. Manufactured 1924 - 1926.

REMC4B

REMC4B: Well used, shackle is broken off on the left end.

REMC4C, BSA #1496, Remington #RS3333 This was the Remington "Award for Heroism" model, presented to those Scouts who received the Awatrd for Heroism. It had the acorn shield, with an additional shield below it, engraved with "The Remongton Award for Herosim". Brown bone handles amd lined bolsters. Produced 1924-1926.

REMC4D, BSA #1497, Remington #RS4233 Four blade camp knife: Long, thin spear blade, smooth awl, one-piece can opener, and a short flat blade screwdriver /cap lifter combo blade. Closed length was 3 3/8", brown bone handles, "pinched" and lined bolsters. Permanent shackle on the end opposite the acorn shield. Produced 1923-1924.

REMC4D

REMC4D: Note one piece can opener. (Courtesy Dimitri Pitarys)

REMC4E, BSA #1497, Remington #RS4233 Four blade camp knife: Long, thin spear blade, two-piece can opener, smooth awl, and short flat blade screwdriver/cap lifter combo blade. Lined, pinched bolsters. Permanent shackle on end opposite acorn shield. Brown bone handles, closed length 3 3/8". Manufactured 1924-1926.

REMC4F, BSA #1496, Remington #RS3333 Four blade camp knife: Main blade, long flat blade/cap lifter combo, two-piece can opener, leather awl. Shield is First Class emblem with no acorn background. Main blade has ashort nail pull. Brown bone handles, permanent shackle opposite shield end. One line on each bolster. Note the concave indentation at the base of the cap lifter. Overall length is 3 3/4". Manufactured in 1927.

RE<C4F

REMC4F: The blade etch is horizontal, not vertical. (Courtesy Mark McClurg)

REMC4G, BSA #1496, Remington #RS3333 Four blade camp knife: Fat spear blade with short nail nick, short can opener/cap lifter combo, smooth awl, two-piece can opener. Vertical can opener lift tab, so there's a notch on the shield side handle to accomodate the tab. Round shield, brown bone handles, lined bolsters. Permanent shackle on end opposite the shield end. Closed length 3 3/4". Produced 1929-1932.

One or two piece Remington can opener example

Remington "one piece" can openers were made from one stamped piece of steel, as shown in the example on the left. The "two piece" opener shows a joint where the two stamped pieces go together. 
REMC4H, BSA #1496, Remington #RS3333 Back spring is exposed, as are most Remongton Scout knives. Four blade camp knife: Fat spear blade with short nail nick, long can opener/cap lifter combo, smooth awl, two-piece can opener. Horizontal can opener lift tab. Round shield, brown bone handles, lined bolsters. Permanent shackle on end opposite the shield end. Closed length 3 3/4". Produced 1933-1935.

REMC4I, BSA #1496, Remington #RS3333 Four blade camp knife, brown bone handles, smooth bolsters, non-removable bail on end opposite the shield end. Overall length 3 3/4". Note the shield side handle has no notch for a can opener pull, as the pull is parallel to the length of the handle. Manufactured 1933-1939.

REMC4I Closed

REMC4I: Note the parallel pull tab for the can opener 

REMC4I Open

REMC4I: The slightly shorter screwdriver differs from the longer RECC4H screwdriver

REMC4I

REMC4I: A nice example showing the horizontal blade etch. (Courtesy Mark McClurg)

Closeup of round shield.

Closeup of round shield with good detail.

Nice REMC4I

Nice Remington REMC4I camp knife, 1933-1939 (Courtesy Max Reyes)

REMC4I Remington BSA Knife

REMC4I: Bone handles can be several different colors inside the same model. 

(Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)
REMC4J, BSA #1496, Remington #RS3333 Back spring is covered by a metal plate. Four blade camp knife: Fat spear blade with short nail nick, long can opener/cap lifter combo, smooth awl, two-piece can opener. Horizontal can opener lift tab. Round shield, brown bone handles, lined bolsters. Permanent shackle on end opposite the shield end. Closed length 3 3/4". Produced 1933-1935.

REMC4K, BSA #1496, Remington #RS3333 This is a beautiful knife. Four blade camp knife: Main blade, long flat blade/cap lifter combo, awl, and two-piece can opener. Since the can opener has a horizontal pull, there is no need for a pull notch in the handle. Smooth bolsters, permanent shackle, and round shield with the BSA First Class emblem. White pearl handles. Manufactured 1933-1935.

REMC4K

REMC4L, BSA #1497, Remington #RS4233 Four blade camp knife: Skinny main blade, long flat blade/cap lifter combo with convex bulge at base, and two-piece can opener. Permanent shackle on end opposite the shield. Can opener has a vertical pull, so there is a notch for the pull in the shield side of the bone handle. This has pinched bolsters,s which means there is a "dimple" on the extreme end of each bolster. Each bolster has a single line. Main blade has a long nail pull. Manufactured 1929-1932.

REMC4L
REMC4L: Skinny main blade, long screwdriver, round shield. (Courtesy Mark McClurg) 
REMC4M, BSA #1497, Remington #RS4233 Four blade camp knife: Long, skinny spear blade with long nail nick, two-piece can opener with horizontal pull tab, smooth awl, long flat bade screwdriver/cap lifter combo. Round shield, brown bone handles, permanent shackle on end opposite shield. Manufactured 1933-1939.

REMC4N, BSA #19860 , Remington Pattern #RS3333 This is a 2009 reproduction of the original RS3333 knife, REMC4B. Remington contracted with Bear and Sons in Jacksonville, AL to reproduce this knife using the original 1920's Remington toolings. The tang bears the same original "Remington UMC" stamp, but the other side of the tang is deeply stamped "2009" to distinguish the original knives from the new production models. Manufactured in 2009 only. Suggested retail is $99.99.

2009 Issue RS3333

2009 Issue RS3333 Scout Knife (Courtesy Remington Arms) 

REMC4N, 2009 Replica of RS3333
 
REMC4N, 2009 Replica of RS3333 (Photo courtesy Phil Stevens)
REMC3A, BSA #N/A, Remington #RS4773 Three blade camp knife: Long spear with long nail nick, long can opener/flat blade screwdriver combo, two-piece can opener. No shackle. Round shield, brown bone handles, 3 3/8" long when closed. Smooth bolsters. Manufactured 1928-1932.
REMC3B, BSA #1494, Remington #RS4783 Three blade camp knife: Long spear with long nail nick, long can opener/flat blade screwdriver combo, two-piece can opener. Smooth bolsters, round shield, removable shackle on end opposite shield. Brown bone handles. Produced 1934-1939.

REMC3C, BSA #1494, Remington #RS4783 Three blade camp knife: Fat main blade with long nail pull, can opener, and combo long flat blade/cap lifter. Bone handles, round shield, removable shackle on end opposite the shield end. Overall length is 3 1/2". Manufactured 1934-1939.

REMC3C

REMC3C: Round shield, only three blades, removable shackle. (Courtesy Mark McClurg)

REMF1A, BSA #1559, Remington #RH50. Fixed blade sheath knife, no finger grooves on handle. Curved blade is 4 1/2"long, overall length is 8 1/2". Handle is made of stacked leather and colored fiber washers. Nickel silver thumb guard, cast aluminum end cap. Came with an oak tanned leather sheath, sewn edges with seven rivets. Sheath and knife both embossed with the BSA emblem. These weighed about 8 oz each. In 1938, the wholesale price for these knives was $30 per dozen ($2.50 each). Retail was probably double that amount. Manufactured 1933-1939.

1938 Wholesale Catalog Ad

1938 Wholesale Catalog Advertisement (REMF1A Shown)

RH50 without sheath

REMF1A (RH50) without sheath. Note the blade etching and curved blade.
RWMF1B, BSA #1559, Remington #RH50. Same as REMF1A, but with finger grooves on handle.

REMF1C, BSA #1561, Remington #RH51. Same as REMF1A (no finger grooves), but with straight blade instead of curved, and blade length is 4", overall length is 8". Each knife and sheath pair weighed about 5.6 oz. Wholesale price in 1938 was $31.60 per dozen ($1.80 each), retail was probably double that figure. Manufactured 1933-1939.

REMF1C

REMF1C: No finger grooves, straight blade. (Courtesy Dimitri Pitarys)

REMF1D, BSA #1561, Remington #RH51. Same as REMF1C, but with finger grooves in the handle.

REMF1D with sheath

REMF1D with sheath. Note the finger grooves and straight blade.Blade etching has worn away.

Emblem on sheath

Closeup of sheath stamp on REMF1D sheath. Bottom line read "National Council New York City".

Closeup of tang

Close-up of RH-51 stamp on tang of the REMF1D fixed blade.

Ulster

Ulster Knife Co. / Ulster USA This company made BSA knives under two different ownerships. The first appearance of an Ulster BSA knife was in 1923, under the ownership of Dwight, Divine, and Sons. These knives are easily spotted by their shield shaped BSA shield on the handle. This era of the Ulster knives ended in 1940. The second era of Ulster knives began in 1963, and ended in 1985. All of those later knives, made as "Ulster USA", had a round BSA shield on the handle.

ULSC2A, BSA#1128, Kerr UDD02EX, Holbrook U7 Marked on tang as Ulster Dwight Divine. Marlin spike and sheepsfoot blade.  Bone handle, "interstate" shield with First Class emblem, and eagle facing left. Permanent shackle on spike end, no lines on bolsters.  Blade etched OFFICIAL SEASCOUTS KNIFE with sea anchor emblem.  4 rivets on side. Probable manufacture date was 1938-1941.

Ulster Marlin Pike Scout Knife
ULSC2A:Ulster Dwight Divine Marlin Spike Scout Knife 
 

ULSC2A:  Knife closed, 4" length.
ULSC3A, BSA #1513, Kerr UDD10BR,  Holbrook U5 Marked as Dwight Divine and Sons.  Three blades (main blade, can opener, and cap lifter/flat blade screwdriver). Belt shackle, lined bolsters. Notch on shield side handle for can opener lift. Bone handles.  Manufactured 1934-1940 (+/-).

Identifying the first five four-blade Ulster knives:  At first glance, identifying these knives can seem confusing, since they all look about the same (except for the pearl handle knife).  Here's a quick quide to identifying the forst four bone handled Ulster BSA four-blade camp knives:

BONE, NO LINES ON BOLSTERS:

3 5/8" CLOSED: ULSC4A

3 3/8" CLOSED: ULSC4C

BONE, LINES ON BOLSTERS:

3 5/8" CLOSED: ULSC4D

3 3/8" CLOSED: ULSC4E

PEARL HANDLES:  ULCC4B

ULSC4A, BSA #1502 Four blade camp knife, with main blade, combo can opener/short flat blade, awl, and one piece can opener.  Closed length is 3 5/8". Brown bone handle, smooth bolsters, permanent shackle on end opposite main blade, BSA shield is shield shaped. Shield side handle has a notch for the can opener pull. Main blade has a nail pull running 3/4 the length of the blade (long pull). Manufactured 1923-1926.

ULSC4A

ULSC4A: Ulsters' first camp knife, made in 1923. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

ULSC4A

ULSC4A: Note the long nail pull. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

ULSC4B, BSA #4063L  Four blade camp knife, with main blade, combo can opener/short flat blade, awl, and one piece can opener. White pearl handles, smooth bolsters, permanent shackle on end opposite main blade, BSA shield is shield shaped. Shield side handle has a notch for the can opener pull. Main blade has a nail pull running 3/4 the length of the blade (long pull). Closed length 3 5/8". Manufactured 1926-1928.
ULSC4C, BSA #1503  Closed length 3 3/8". Four blade camp knife, with main blade, combo can opener/short flat blade, awl, and one piece can opener. Brown bone handle, smooth bolsters, permanent shackle on end opposite main blade, BSA shield is shield shaped. Shield side handle has a notch for the can opener pull. Main blade has a nail pull running 3/4 the length of the blade (long pull). Manufactured 1923-1926.

1925UlsterAdCropped

This is a copy of a wholesale catalog from J. Reynolds of Holyoke, Mass.,  from 1925, showing the ULSC4C, as number 47488.  The price, per dozen, was $22.88, or $1.91 each, wholesale.  This would probably have made the retail price around $3.82 each.

The listing for number 47553 matches the description of ULSC4A, which was 1/4" longer than the ULSC4C.

ULSC4D, BSA #1502 Four blade camp knife, with main blade, combo can opener/long flat blade, awl, and three piece can opener. Brown bone handle, single line bolsters, permanent shackle on end opposite main blade, BSA shield is shield shaped. Shield side handle has a notch for the can opener pull. Main blade is etched "Official Knife". Main blade has a nail pull running 3/4 the length of the blade (long pull). Marked Ulster Knife Co. on tang of the screwdriver, and marked Dwight Devine on tang of the main blade.  Manufactured 1927-1940.

ULDC4D

ULSC4D: Note the lines on the bolsters. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

ULSC4D

ULSC4D: Photo shows the can opener notch in handle. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

ULSC4D 2 (2)

ULSC4D 3

ULSC4D 2 (1)

ULSC4D: Three views of the same knife.  Lined bolsters and 3 5/8" closed length nail down the ULSC4D model number.

(Courtesy: Allen McBroom)

ULSC4E, BSA # 1503 Same knife as ULSC4D, except the nail pull is less than half the length of the main blade.

ULSC4E, chipped blade, missing shackle

ULSC4E, chipped main blade, missing the shackle (Courtesy Dmitri Pitarys)

ULSC4E, missing can opener pull
ULSC4E. Nice example, though this one is missing the thumb tab for the can opener, which is closed. (Courtesy Dmitri Pitarys)

 ULSC4Afront

ULSC4Aback
ULSC4F, BSA #1513
ULSC4G, BSA #1996  This was the first of the second-generation BSA Ulster knives. 3 3/4 long knife, brown jigged handles, smooth bolsters, round device with BSA eagle, Four blades: Shackle end has short combination cap lifter/flat blade screwdriver and awl, end opposite the shackle has main blade with short nick and can opener.Permanently attached shackle. Manufactured 1962-1979.
ULSC4G Scout Knife
ULSC4G Scout Knife, made by Ulster, 1962-1979 (Photo courtesy Jim Brucculeri)
 
ULSC4G Ulster BSA Knife
ULSC4G: The round shield sets this apart as the first of the "new" Ulster BSA knives.

(Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)
ULSC4H, BSA #1996
ULSC4I, BSA #1996

ULSC4J, BSA #1036 Holbrook #U2, Kerr #  UIA02BR  Round shield with Tenderfoot emblem.  Four blades, engraved main blade, can opener heplfully stamped 'CAN OPENER'.  3.75" closed, finely grooved stag handle, stainless steel blades. Tang stamped "ULSTER STAINLESS NY USA".  Mr. Kerr refers to this as the Scoutmasters Model.  Smooth bolsters. Permanent shackle opposite end of main blade. Made 1966-1976.

ULSC4J Fish

ULSC4J:  Beyond-clean display of four of these models, in the original display box.  (Photo courtesy of Mr. Ron Fish)

ULSC5A, BSA #1046  Five blade camp knife: Main blade, can opener, flat blade/cap lifter combo, awl, and short Phillips blade. Phillips blade has a rectangular notch to fit in on the shield side of the handle. Stag handles. No belt shackle on this model. ULSTER U.S.A. (all upper case, two lines) on tang. Main blade etched with OFFICIAL KNIFE Tenderfoot Emblem BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA. Round shield with Tenderfoot emblem.  Manufactured 1976-1979 (+/-).

ULSC5A b

ULSC5A c

ULSC5A a
ULSC5B, BSA #1046

ULSC5C, BSA #1046 Five blade camp knife: Main blade, can opener, flat blade/cap lifter combo, awl, and short Phillips blade. Phillips blade has a rectangular notch to fit in on the shield side of the handle. White, jigged handles. No belt shackle on this model. Manufactured 1982-1983.

ULSC5C

ULSC5C: The white, jigged handles set the ULDC5C apart. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)

ULSC5C

ULSC5C: Note the jigged, white handles. (Courtesy Phil Stevens)
ULSC5D, BSA #1046  Five blade camp knife: Main blade, can opener, flat blade/cap lifter combo, awl, and short Phillips blade. Phillips blade has a rectangular notch to fit in on the shield side of the handle. Smooth, white handles. No belt shackle on this model. ULSTER U.S.A. (all upper case, two lines) on tang. Main blade etched with OFFICIAL KNIFE Tenderfoot Emblem BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA. Round shield with Tenderfoot emblem.  Manufactured 1984-1985 (+/-). 
ULSC5D White Handle BSA Knife
 
ULSC5D White Handle BSA Knife (Photo courtesy Phil Stevens)
 
ULSC5D FishULSC5D:  Original display box, and four mint knives.  The subdued lighting makes these appear less white then they really are.  
(Photo courtesy Ron Fish)
 

ULSL1A, BSA#8513 (Holbrook #LB18, Kerr #UIA10BR)

75th Anniversary single blade lockback. Knives had individual serial numbers.  100 (numbered 001-100) of these Diamond Jubliee knives were issued. The "1 of 12,000" etched on the blade refers to the total production of all three varieties.  These were actually manufactured by Imperial Schrade with the Ulster name.  Blade etched "1 of 100".  Gold handles.

ULSL1B, BSA#8512 (Holbrook #LB17, Kerr #UIA11BR)

75th Anniversary single blade lockback. Knives had individual serial numbers.  500 (numbered 101-500) of these Diamond Jubliee knives were issued. The "1 of 12,000" etched on the blade refers to the total production of all three varieties.

These were actually manufactured by Imperial Schrade with the Ulster name.  Silver handles.

ULSL1C, BSA#8511 (Holbrook #LB16, Kerr #UIA12BR)

75th Anniversary single blade lockback. Knives had individual serial numbers.  11,400 (numbered 601-12,000) of these Diamond Jubliee knives were issued. The "1 of 12,000" etched on the blade refers to the total production of all three varieties.  These were actually manufactured by Imperial Schrade with the Ulster name.  Brass handles.

ULSL1C 75th Anniversary Ulster BSA Lockback

ULSL1Cb

ULSL1C: 75th Anniversary of BSA Ulster lockback and presentation box.

(Knife courtesy of New Mexico Scouting Museum.  Photo by Bob Wick.)
ULSS2A, BSA #1128
ULSW2A, BSA # 1504
ULSW2B, BSA #1504
ULSW2C, BSA #NA
 

Victorinox

Victorinox Swiss Army was founded in 1891 in Ibach, Switzerland. The company was named after the founder's mother, who was named Victoria. The company made it's first mark in the world by making mutli-tool knives for the Swiss Army. Visit their website at www.Victorinox.Com. Many of the current Victorinox BSA knives can be seen at ScoutStuff.Org.
VICP1A, BSA #01262, Sentry Model.This is a single blade pen knife with smooth red handles. Closed length is 3.25", and the smooth red Cellidor handles can be engraved on either side. Has the Swiss cross and BSA fleur-de-lis on one side. No blade etching. 2008 retail is $18.00. Currently in production.

Sentry
VICP2A, BSA #01865, Cub Scout Pocket Pal. One large clip blade, one small clip blade. Smooth blue Cellidor handles with the Swiss Cross and the BSA fleur-di-lis on the handle. Handle can be engraved. No blade etching. 2008 retail is $20.00. Currently in production.

Cub Scout
VICM3A, BSA #01253, BSA Classic. Overall length is 58mm (just over 2 1/4"). Three blades: Clip blade, nail file with flat blade screwdriver end, scissors. Handles have two inserts, a toothpick and tweezers. Smooth, red, opaque Cellidor handles. Main blade is 2 1/2" long. Main blade tang stamped "Victorinox Switzerland Stainless Rostfrei" on nail nick side. The other side of the tang is not marked. No blade etching. The main blade end has the Swiss cross, the other end has the BSA emblem. Lanyard ring on the cross end. (The standard Victorinox Classic has a nail cleaner tip instead of the screwdriver tip.) 2009 retail $24.99.
VICM4A, BSA #01253, BSA Classic. This is exactly the same as the VICM3A, with the addition of a ball point pen as the fourth blade. The pen is mounted in the same end as the main blade. 2009 retail $24.99.
VICM5A, BSA #1001, Adventurer. Five blade knife: On cross end, a locking serrated blade with small mail nick, and can opener/small flat blade combo. On BSA emblem end, and cap lifter/wide flat blade combo. In the middle of the backspring side, a Phillips screwdriver and an awl with thread hole. Handles have two inserts, which are toothpick and tweezers. Red, opaque Cellidor handles, lanyard ring on BSA emblem end. backspring side is straight, blade opening side has two finger grooves. 2009 retail $46.99.
VICM6A, BSA #01254, Tinker. The VICM6A and VICM6B are identical, except for the color of the handles. Overall length 3 9/16". Black opaque Cellidor handles. Main blade 2 11/16" long. The tang of the main blade, on the nail nick side, is marked "Victorinox Swiss Made Stainless". The opposite side of the tang is marked "Officier Suisse". Six blades: On cross emblem end, a long blade and cap lifter/small flat blade combo. On BSA emblem end, it has a small blade and a can opener/flat blade combo. In the middle of the backspring side, it was a Phillips head and an awl with thread hole. Handles have two inserts, tweezers and toothpick. Has lanyard ring on BSA emblem end. 2009 retail $28.99.
VICM6B, BSA #1395, Tinker. The VICM6A and VICM6B are identical, except for the color of the handles. Overall length 3 9/16". Red opaque Cellidor handles. Main blade 2 11/16" long. The tang of the main blade, on the nail nick side, is marked "Victorinox Swiss Made Stainless". The opposite side of the tang is marked "Officier Suisse". Six blades: On cross emblem end, a long blade and cap lifter/small flat blade combo. On BSA emblem end, it has a small blade and a can opener/flat blade combo. In the middle of the backspring side, it was a Phillips head and an awl with thread hole. Handles have two inserts, tweezers and toothpick. Has lanyard ring on BSA emblem end. Victorinox #55121. 2009 retail $28.99.

VICM6C, BSA #12160, Stay Glow Climbers Knife. The ScoutStuff.Org site has this description: "This knife features a glow in the dark handle, large and small blades, cork screw, can opener with small screwdriver, bottle opener with large screwdriver, wire stripper, reamer, key ring, tweezers, toothpick, scissors and a multi-purpose hook. Measures 3 5/8" long when closed." 2008 retail was $31.99. Currently in production.

.Stay Glow

VICM6C: Glow in the dark handles (Photo: ScoutStuff.Org)

VICM7A, BSA #01882, Mechanic Model. This is a seven blade multitool, with the following: Large clip blade, small clip blade, can opener/small screwdriver combo, bottle opener/large screwdriver/wire stripper combo, awl, Phillips screwdriver, and pliers/wire cutter/crimper combo. Lanyard ring, tweezers, and toothpick. 2008 retail is $42.00, Currently in production.

Mechanic
VICM8A, BSA #01255, Huntsman.Eight blade knife: On cross end, a main blade (no etch, small nail nick), and a can opener/narrow flat blade combo. On BSA emblem end, a cap lister/wide falt blade combo, a pair of scissors, and a small blade. In the middle of the backspring side, a Phillips screwdriver, an awl with thread hole, and a hook. Handles are smooth, red, opaque Cellidor and have two inserts, which are tweezers and a toothpick. A lanyard ring is on the BSA emvlem end. Overll length, closed, is 3 1/2". 2009 retail is $44.99.

VICM9A, BSA #01130, Wood Badge Issue. ScoutStuff.org describes it like this: "Knife features a gold-tone Wood Badge logo inlaid in the handle. Tools include wood saw, reamer, can opener, package hook, two flat head screwdrivers, a Phillips head screwdriver, bottle opener, wire stripper, tweezers, toothpick, key ring, scissors, small blade knife, large blade knife. Measures 3 1/2" long folded" Retail in 2008 was $45.99. Currently in production.

Wood Badge Knife

VICM9A: Wood Badge knife from Victorinox. (Photo: ScoutStuff.org)
VICM10A, Explorer.

Wenger

Wenger S.A. began in 1893 in Switzerland, and made BSA knives from 1982 - 2000. in 2005, Wenger was taken over by Victorinox. Wenger made the original Swiss Army knives.
WENE9A, BSA #1392
WENE7A, BSA #1391
WENE5A, BSA #1393
WENE15A, BSA #1389