77OT "Improved" Muskrat

[orca8589]

I have a 77OT Improved Muskrat; what's "improved" about it? As in, how is it different from a non-"Improved" Muskrat pattern?

~Chris

 

[Bob W]

They added a blade etch.

 

[thawk]

The "Improved" moniker has been associated with the muskrat pattern for a while now, by several manufactures in addition to Schrade. This HTT magazine article is from 1936. They mention round bolsters and brass liners...

 

[orca8589]

That explains it, I think. thanks for the info guys!

~Chris

 

[Bob W]

Thanks for the great information regarding "improved" muscrat knives.

Still, as far as Old Timers go... The only difference between the ordinary 77-OT and the "Improved" 77-OT is the blade etch.

 

[koldgold]

Bob, Don't tell me that nice blade etch dose't improve the look of the knife. Ken

 

[thawk]

Was the 77OT OLD TIMER (first MFG in 1976) ever offered without the "IMPROVED MUSKRAT" etch? It appears so...

http://www.collectors-of-schrades-r.us/Catalogs/images/1976-CATS.pdf

I'm not sure about the history a non etched version, but for several years the catalogs showed it non-etched with the SMALL GAME name instead of "Muskrat". Schrade was notorious for not updating catalog illustrations... Does anyone have a New In The Box 77OT without an IMPROVED MUSKRAT etch? In several catalogs they seemed to used the original "Small Game" illustration, but if you look carefully in the pictures of the floor displays, you can see the etch.

There were several other Old Timers introduced the same 1976 year. I've never seen a 77OT with a three line stamp either, but I know the other Old Timers that existed in 1976 (34OT, 33OT, 8OT, 108OT, 94OT, 194OT, and 61OT) all had SCHRADE NY USA stamps with three lines. I've often had a theory that the original 77OT was the first SCHRADE / USA **OT two lined style stamp. That being said, I'd love for someone to produce a three line 77OT and prove me wrong.

Schrade Walden NY USA used the IMPROVED MUSKRAT etch before 1970 on the 787 open stock muskrat pattern.

 

[tongueriver]

Schrade Walden NY USA used the IMPROVED MUSKRAT etch before 1970 on the 787 open stock muskrat pattern.

Schrade Cutco was also already using that etch before WWII.

 

[Bob W]

Bob, Don't tell me that nice blade etch dose't improve the look of the knife. Ken

On many examples I've seen the etch is pretty light anyway. I'm sure it wouldn't last long on a User knife.

Was the 77OT OLD TIMER (first MFG in 1976) ever offered without the "IMPROVED MUSKRAT" etch? It appears so...

I think I have seen un-etched NIB examples, but I don't actually have one.

 

[orca8589]

On many examples I've seen the etch is pretty light anyway. I'm sure it wouldn't last long on a User knife.

I think I have seen un-etched NIB examples, but I don't actually have one.

Thanks for all the info everyone. :thumbup:

This one is from ebay, that I got several years ago. One blade had a broken tip; the other blade tip was so bent that it couldn't be fixed without breaking it off. I converted both blades to semi-sheepfoot-wharncliffe types. You can just make out the "IMPROVED MUSKRAT" etch on the blade. I didn't pay attention to the etch until I got a NIB 77OT here on BF a while back; when I saw the etch on that one, I checked my older used one. I've looked at all the U.S. Schrade patterns on fleabay, flea markets, etc., and all the 77OT's I've seen have the etch.

~Chris

 

[Rusty1]

Only shows what could of been, a 77OT that got through without being etched.

 

[Dave Thinkstoomuch]

Only shows what could of been, a 77OT that got through without being etched.

Hmmm, so now the etched 77OT has become the standard Schrade muskrat and the one with no etch could be called an improved version of the standard improved. I think we have officially hit paradox or at very least a circular argument.

Seriously, I always asked the OPs question myself. The previous replies have solved the riddle pretty well. Thanks all.

 

[ea42]

Schrade Used the "improved" etch on the Hawbaker inspired muskrats back in the 1930's as well. I always thought that the addition of the Hawbaker blade is what constituted the improvement. Always thought that they just continued the etch after that on all muskrats for no particular reason, though I have no proof. Got my doubts that anyone at the shop would know either as that particular knife predates 'em all, but I'll give it a shot.

Here's an example of that particular knife:

[/IMG]

Eric

 

[tongueriver]

The muskrat has always been marketed as a skinning knife for small game. I wonder what this gentleman favored for that task?

 

[Rusty1]

Getting someone else to skin them I would think.

Russell