Are these the real deal

[glongiii]

I was fortunate enough to come across these in a online auction. They peaked my custody since I had never seen anything like them. Can someone please assist me in verifying there are the real deal. The little research I have done shows these are fairly rare to find.

[tongueriver]

You have the genuine articles; quite rare. 1967ish for Norm Thompson Outfitters. The 165 should have a rather low serial number on the 'left' side.

[glongiii]

Thanks for the reply tongueriver 01325 serial # parallel to the finger guard on left side.

[tongueriver]

The Norm Thompson knives were not kept separate from the regular run in terms of serialization; Those guys could really turn out the knives back in the day. I wonder how many they could do in a day? Those sheaths are worth more than the knives, in my opinion; I feel lucky that I have them, as well.

[glongiii]

I never new they existed until I found these. I have no idea what their output would be. Did the serial numbers start from 00000? The sheaths are still in great shape for their age.

[tongueriver]

The Schrade Walden knives in those patterns started with 0 serial numbers, but, as stated, the Norm Thompson knives did not have their own serialization apart from the regular run of SW knives. They were just mixed in, and shields glued in as some were set aside for Norm. The folding hunter was begun manufacture in 1964 and the fixed blade knife in 1967 (for any runs for anyone). It is unclear when the folding hunters were made for NT but I would suggest that the YUKON and SHIKARI were both initially offered by that company in 1967, when the fixed blade knives were first made by Schrade.

[tongueriver]

Your folding hunter is a little rough, but I would be interested in it for the sheath. Let me know!