KaBar Grizzly Stag Vintage #2179 switchblade knife

Vintage Kabar Big Grizzly switchblade made by Union Cutlery Co of Olean, NY sometime between 1923 and early 1950s and designated the model #2179. It measures approx 5 1/2 inches closed and 9 7/8 inches open with brass liners and nickel silver bolsters & button. The straight back semi clip blade is mostly full at about 97% and the tang has less commone stamp KABAR over PAT'D FEB. 5-29 and backside is stamped UNION CUTLERY CO over OLEAN, NY. The blade has light scratches, patina, spotting and some light pitting, but can still see some original finish under the patina. The genuine stag scales are burnt orange with age and attractive with one hairline crack by one pin on the front scale. The knife works well with blade tip well below the liners closed, opens fully and pretty strong and locks open with less than 1/16" movement at the tip.  It does NOT rattle if shaken with the blade open as most of these old Grizzlies do after being used for many years.

This Grizzly has the early production profile blade that is wider/rounder than the later profile blade. They made at least two changes to the blade profile and stamps over the years and the later stamps are mostly hidden behind the bolsters where these early ones are higher and easy to read. These early production Grizzlies usually have a hole in the bottom bolster for a lanyard ring as this one does, but Some of the later ones did not. Not sure if they came with lanyard rings, or just had the holes for them, because you rarely see one with the actual ring, but most are factory drilled. Here's your chance to own a legendary piece of American switchblade history! Overall EX condition.