KaBar Large Grizzly Stag #2179 Vintage 1930s switchblade knife made USA

This is a vintage Kabar Big Grizzly switchblade made by Union Cutlery Co of Olean, NY sometime between 1923 and early 1950s. It was designated the model #2179 and it measures approximately 5 3/8 inches closed and 9 7/8 inches open with brass liners and nickel silver bolsters & button. The clip blade is 97% full or better and the tang is marked KABAR (though hidden by the bolster & liner) and backside is stamped PAT. over Union Cutlery Co (also mostly hidden by the bolster/liner. The blade has mostly shiny with some light scratches and scattered light spotting. The genuine stag scales are yellowed with age and attractive with a couple of small pin cracks on the front handle as most of these do over time. The knife works well with blade tip even with the liners closed, opens fully if you open it correctly and locks open TIGHT. No rattle if shaken with the blade open. EX- condition.

This Grizzly has a mid production profile blade that is wider/rounder than the later profile blade, but not quite as full as the early profile. 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 the early ones are higher and easier to read. These Grizzlies usually have a hole in the bottom bolster for a lanyard ring, but most do not have the ring as this one does. (You rarely see one with the actual ring.) Here's your chance to own a legendary piece of American switchblade history! Overall EX- condition.