Schrade 152S-Help Needed

[Schradenut]

This Schrade 152S just came my way, and the S has me puzzled. The tang stamp is "Schrade USA 152S", and it is exactly the same knife visually as a "Schrade USA 152UH".
Does the "S" stand for Stainless? or is there some other sinister reason for it. This is the first one i have seen, so i am hoping that one of you learned gentleman/ladies can shed some light on my mystery, for me.
Tony.

[Old Hunter]

Does the S stand for Staglon (letters used when the same knife had different handle versions)?

[royal0014]

*

[orvet]

Humm...

Tony, I am not sure what to make of that one.
I have not encountered that stamping before.

I did notice the guard is different than the 172UH.
See the guard on the 172UH in this picture at Collectors-of-Schrade http://collectors-of-schrades-r.us/new- ... 72UH-1.htm
Notice that your guard is a thinner flat piece of brass bar stock.
The 172UH has a much thicker contoured brass guard.

I see the stamping is 'SCHRADE' so it was made after the Schrade Walden 172UH "Bear Skinner", made from 1971-1973.

The second use of the 172UH stamping was 1990-1993 and was called the "Wildcat".

I suspect the 172S was an SFO for someone, perhaps SMKW or a hunting or hardware supply company. It was made after the Schrade Walden name was dropped in mid 1973. I suspect it was made shortly after the discontinuation of the 172 in 1973 or in the 1990s when the Wildcat version of the 172UH was being made.

I don't know that for certain, but that would be the most likely explanation I can think of.

I hope this helps a little.

[Schradenut]

Thank you for your input Dale. That does seem the best explanation...many thanks.
Tony

[JAMESC41001]

I agree with Dale that the knife was likely made closer to the walden stamp. Looks like the handle might be stag not the staglon which could possibly account for the "s" in the stamp. Like the 49ers had the s for staglon and the L for leather. Interesting knife either way.