VINTAGE PRECISE INSTRU. CO. SOLINGEN GERMANY A. WINGEN JR ORIGINAL TRAPPER KNIFE

Description

Original Trapper Knife from Solingen Germany. 1960's. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.
PIC Original Trapper Knife, handmade in Solingen Germany. The Precise Instrument Company was the importer. These Knives were made by the Anton Wingen Jr. Co. Faint Nice gold etching remains on the blade. Beautiful Stag scales held together by nickel-silver rivets. Nickel-silver pommel and finger guard. The curved skinner-style blade is 5 inches with the overall length of 9 1/2 inches. It still has the factory edge. The Knife is heavy and fits well in your hand. The leather Sheath is in good condition. The Knife has been handled and there are a few light scratches and corrosion stains from handling through the years.-The scales, rivets, pommel and finger guard are all solid with no cracks or chips.-Look closely at the photos for additional details. One side says in Faint Nice Gold Toned Etching "Original Trapper Knife Hand Made In Solingen, Germany". With the numbers 13946. The other side of the blade is blank and it says Solingen Germany Pic, which stands for the  Precision Instruments Company.
This Knife was made for Precision Instruments Company by Anton Wingen Jr. This is a fairly scarce and very popular pattern that is rarely seen from Wingen. This pattern was made by several cutlery firms, mostly in Germany. Joseph Rodgers made this Knife for Abercrombie and Fitch and it was a very popular seller for them. The Knife is most often encountered with hardwood handles, while this piece was hafted in gorgeous Sambar stag. This example is also unusual in that it has a beautifully shaped nickel silver guard. Most examples of this Knife are found with no guard. I've owned many examples of this Knife over the years and this is the first one I've had from Wingen that had a guard. It adds a really nice touch to a classic design and really dresses up the Knife. It's a top-slotted guard that's pinned in place with two well blended pins on each side. It compliments the design and serves as an excellent transition from the clean, smooth lines of the Blade to the rugged, raw beauty of the Stag. It also features thick Nickel Silver Bolsters Plates while most examples of this Knife are without Bolsters. Anton Wingen Jr. has always been one of my favorite Solingen makers and I have collected their Knives for years. Anton Wingen Jr. ceased operations and closed their doors in the early 1990's. However, for nearly 120 years they were one of Solingen's finest makers and produced some Knives of incredible quality. This pattern is almost always made with a very thick, hand forged blade, as is the case with this one. The spine features thumb ridges just forward of the guard. This example has seen light use and remains in excellent, original condition. The Blade, Handle and Sheath are in good condition. There are no grind marks, no heavy marks, and no signs of abuse or improper sharpening. The edge is free of any nicks or chips and the blade is beautifully ground. The Stag Handles are exceptional and are even correctly done, which is a rarity in a factory Knife, but often seen from Wingen. The Stag on most factory Knives was selected for cosmetics without regard for performance. "Matched" stag was even an advertising and marketing point. Correctly done Stag handles are selected for performance. Note the smooth Stag on the palm side, while the "finger-tip" side is handled in the gnarliest Stag you'll see. This allows for comfort on the palm side while the knobby surface of the opposite side provides deep texture for a secure grip even when the handle is wet or slippery. Many custom makers even overlook this important detail in favor of looks. The stag handles are tightly secured and free of any chips, cracks, or gaps. The blade is 3/16" thick and is nearly 5" long, while the knife measures 9-1/4" overall. The Sheath is the original Anton Wingen Jr. basket weave-style and is in excellent condition. A beautiful example of a classic Knife from a very desirable Maker.