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Soldier or Civilian Victorinox Model 1908??
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 2:05 am
by MT-Vessel
Today at the Flea Market pocket knives were basically non existent. One vendor had a few and I ended up with a Victorinox that I had never seen. My friend Google informs me that it may be a Victorinox Soldier Model 1908 or a Victorinox Soldier Civilian Replica. The website:
http://www.couteaux-du-soldat-suisse.ch ... deles-1908 is full of useful data that makes things as clear as mud.
The lack of a year stamp seems to point to the civilian version BUT the description of Victorinox Soldier Model 1908 Variation 3 matches what I bought which has no date stamp and brass rivets (appear yellowish)
Age?? depends on the model.
Any and all information is appreciated
Re: Soldier or Civilian Victorinox Model 1908??
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 12:06 pm
by ironhorse
here is a couple of websites, that might help. sakhome.com or
[email protected] Had a question about an older victorinox that I had bought, sent in a couple of pics and within a couple of days had an answer, very helpful and pleasant to deal with. Good looking knife

Re: Soldier or Civilian Victorinox Model 1908??
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 2:45 pm
by cody6268
That's weird. My 1942 model (which isn't a "P" or Privat model) is marked "ELSENER SCHWYZ over SWISS MADE" and then "SWISS MADE" on the screwdriver, and has carbon steel blades and steel pins/liners. At that time, Victorinox wasn't really the company name, just a mark they used on the stainless knives.
According to the 1942 catalog, there was a stainless version of the Model 200, the "200 inox" that was stainless instead of carbon steel. While the Model 200 was pretty much the civilian version of the M1908, I'm sure both the carbon and stainless versions were purchased as replacements for lost or broken M1908s.
Here's a page from the 1942 Elsener catalog I found at the SAK Wiki, that shows what I think is your knife.
http://www.sakwiki.com/tiki-browse_gall ... leryId=116
Re: Soldier or Civilian Victorinox Model 1908??
Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 7:09 am
by MT-Vessel
Thanks for the replies.
Further research points to this being the Civilian version of SAK Model 1908. The age... most likely late 50s or 60s. A wonderfully solid knife with great ancestry. Value??
I have a cracked thumb nail due to the wicked can opener spring tension!