1908 Models

The "1908 Models" are divided into three categories, denoted by 1 to 3 and three types of "Waffenkontrolle" stamp, denoted by A, B and C. Each category is represented by a single variant.

 PDF document, a copy of the plan for the Model 1908 soldier’ knife

From 1921 the blade had a vintage stamp represented by the last two digits of the year (e.g. 21 for 1921), this feature still applies today.

Warning : There are many civilian replicas of the "1908 Models"; these should not be confused with soldiers’ knives! See "The Victorinox civilian production "200 R" (stainless steel) and "200 S" (steel), replicas of the Swiss 1908 Models”.

1908 Models Categories

1908 Models blade markings

For the "1908 Models" we have listed approximately thirty different blade markings representing twenty manufacturers or groups of manufacturers, Swiss or German and, as in previous models it is possible we will discover even more!!

 (*) Source : "Le couteau du soldat suisse" by Thierry Deladoey.

1908 Models “Waffenkontrolle”

On "1908 Models" one of the sides of the handle will always have a “Waffenkontrolle” stamp :

• "Type A" – between 1908 and 1914 the stamp was a simple Swiss Cross.
• "Type B" – between 1908 and 1914 the stamp was a simple Swiss Cross enclosed in a circle.
• "Type C" – between 1915 and 1950 the stamp was made up of the letters “WK” inside the Swiss Cross, which was in turn enclosed in a circle.

Furthermore, the location and direction of the stamp does not follow precise rules and may vary significantly for one knife to another.

"Waffenkontrolle" Stamps
A	B	C
From 1908 to 1914	From 1908 to 1914	From 1915 to 1950

Note that :

• The design of the "Type A" stamp was the same from 1890 to 1914.
• The design of the "Type C" stamp was the same from 1915 to 1978.
  

Variants of the 1908 Models

Category 1 represents Variant 1, the handle sides are made of wood fibre, the blade is steel and the plate separating the steel springs is nickel-plated.

Category 2 represents Variant 2, the handle sides are made of wood fibre, the blade is steel as is the plate separating the springs.

Category 3 represents Variant 3, the handle sides are made of wood fibre, the blade is steel, as is the plate separating the springs and the rivets are brass.

Please note : Depending on the manufacturing year, the blade may or may not have a vintage stamp, one of the handle sides will have a "Waffenkontrolle" stamp "Type A", "Type B" or "Type C" and this no matter the manufacturer. We regret that we are currently unable to provide more details.

1908 Models and its Variants

See the following topics :

Ranking of 1908 Models

See the topic "Ranking of 1908 Models"