1951 Models
The "1951 Models" are divided into three categories, denoted here 1 to 3 and represented by a single variant. The "Waffenkontrolle" stamp is the same for each variant.
The blade now has a vintage mark showing the last two digits of the year (e.g. 51 for 1951).
PDF document, a copy of the plan for the Model 1951 soldier’ knife
Warning : There are civilian replicas of “1951 Models”, for example Victorinox kives with the reference "151 R". These replicas should not be confused with the soldier’s knife !
1951 Models Categories
1951 Models blade markings
Victorinox, Wenger and Röthlisberger are the only manufacturers of Swiss Army Soldier’s knives...
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Victoria Switzerland Stainless
From 1953 to ? |
Wenger
From 1951 to ? |
Röthlisberger - Bärau
From 1956 to 1957 |
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Elsener - Schwyz
From ? to 1956 |
Wengerinox
From 1951 to 1964 |
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Elsener - Schwyz Victoria
From 1957 to 1973 |
Wenger - Delémont
Before 1961 to 1966 |
1951 Models “Waffenkontrolle”
On the "1951 Models", one side of the handle is always stamped with the “Waffenkontrolle” mark, the letters "WK" are inside a Swiss cross, which is, in turn, surrounded by a circle. This design stays the same throughout the service period of this knife.
Furthermore, the positioning and direction of the stamp may vary significantly from one knife to another.
| "Waffenkontrolle" Stamps |
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On wood fibre handles |
On Grilon handles |
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| From 1951 to 1964 | |||||
Note that the design of the control stamp was the same from 1915 to 1978.
Variants of the 1951 Models
Category 1 represents Variante 1, the sides of the handle are made from synthetic fibre and the rivet securing the tin opener and awl has been drilled with a 2 mm hole.
Category 2 represents Variant 2, the sides of the handle are made from synthetic fibre and the rivet securing the tin opener and awl has been drilled with a 2 mm hole, which has been reinforced by a 6.2 mm diameter rosette with a thickness of 1.2 mm.
Category 3 represents Variant 3, this variant was manufactured exclusively by Wenger, the sides of the handle are "Grilon", the rivets are no longer visible except for the one securing the tin opener and awl which is still apparent. The 2 mm hole, reinforced by a 6.2 mm diameter rosette with a thickness of 1.2 mm is still present.
The "1951 Models" with "Grilon" handles were made from 1957 to 1964, well after the commissioning of the "1961 Models".
Please note : The colour of the "Grilon" handle can vary significantly, ranging from bright, shiny red to dark red-brown almost matt, making it difficult to identify the variant 3 at first glance. It is easy to confuse variant 3 and variant 2.
1951 Models and its Variants
See the following topics :
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