BROWNING
While Browning is naturally known for it’s firearms, it’s knives are also well known to collectors. A number of models were designed in the late 1960s for Browning by a young Gil Hibben decades before Rambo III or Star Trek movies made him famous. Designated the Sportsman’s Series they were outright hunting knives, both folding and fixed blades made to complement Browning’s firearms in the field. Like many other U.S. knife companies at the time, Browning had knives made in the U.S., Germany, Italy and Japan. As a result one may encounter some of the oldest same or similar models with a different country of origin. This shift in country of origin reflects the economics of the post WWII world.
Made in U.S.A.
Made in Germany
Made in Japan
Of all the knives that Ichiro Hattori made for Browning, one of the two most prominent models would be the 1970s Sportsman Model 3718.
The Browning 3718 was a Drop Point Hunter with an overall length of 7 3/4″ overall and a blade length of 3 1/2″. Steel was described as 440 by Browning at the time but later disclosed to be Aus8. The 3718 long discontinued by Browning was made by Hattori in later years in a VG10 version and a Cowry-X Damascus version. A model designated 3717 is Hattori’s adaptation of a Japanese Kiritsuke tip (sometimes called a reverse tanto in the U.S.) to the 3718.
3717/3718 in VG10
At one time the H-3717 was made separately with a single bevel for right handed and left handed users.
KD-3717 Cowry-X
KD-3718 Cowry-X
The other famous model is the Browning Double Edged Damascus Hunter.
Cover of “Book of Knives” 3rd Edition 1988
In 1983 Browning approached the Seki knife makers with an idea to make a one time limited edition damascus hunter based on one of Gil Hibben’s designs. Up to that time the making of a damascus blade involved the forge welding of iron and steel in alternating layers that often resulted in a costly and not very rust resistant final product. To meet Brownings requirement a new kind of damascus was created; not using iron, but stainless steel and nickel silver forge welded in 200 layers. The final result with it’s surface grain, beautiful pattern and high luster was such that Browning changed it’s plans and decided on extending the limited run designating it the Browning Model 3816. However only two models were produced over two years as the US Dollar to Yen exchange rate in 1986/87 made further production prohibitive.
Model 3816
The knife was sold as the Model 3816 Browning Double Edged Damascus Hunter, with a mahagony handle and stainless steel guard and pommel, and a retail price of $350.00 in 1985. It came in a wooden lined presentation box, no sheath, and a certificate issued by Browning on Wa-shi (often called rice paper in the U.S.) and was serial numbered to 1000. Overall length was 7 1/2″ and the blade 3 5/8″. The Model 3816D was the same but with engraving on the guard.
The second model was a concurrent run of 1000 knives called the Browning Damascus Classic Fighter.
This design survives today only in the Hattori Presentation Master Hunter I models, one in ATS-34 and the other in 120 layer nickel Stainless Cowry-X Damascus.
H-101 in ATS-34
KD30-101 Cowry-X
KD30-101 Cowry-X
Another rarely seen Browning model is a limited edition Loveless Drop Point Hunter, the current Hattori H-359, serial numbered with engraving on just the left side of the blade, packaged with sheath in a commemorative presentation box. This is the same model made for Beretta.
WINCHESTER
The Winchester Arms Company, maker of the famous Winchester rifle, was founded in 1866. Knives were added to their line in 1919. The first factories were the Eagle Knife Company in New Haven, Connecticut, and the Napanoch Knife Company in Napanoch, New York. Their knives were marketed with the motto “As Good as the Gun”. During the 1920s Winchester merged with a St Louis based hardware company to become the Winchester-Simmons Company, under which an additional product line under the name Keen Kutter was sold. As WWII came, by 1942 Winchester became busy dedicated to forearms contracts with the U.S. Government and ceased knife production. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a Germany company put the name Winchester on inexpensive knives that had no association with the original company. Winchester later authorized manufacture of knives in the late 1980s by a company named Blue Glass Cutlery. Many of the company’s early knives are collectors’ items, whereas their later knives have gone the way of other major knife companies.
Winchester had Hattori OEM at least three models two of which were numbered . They were made with Aus8 but marked 440 Stainless as was customary at the time.
Hattori Model 109 – Also sold under Sharp, Mstar, Precise of the USA, as well as Sauer of Germany. Also sold under Wischo brand name in Germany.
Hattori Model 102 Master Hunter II in ATS-34.
Winchesters numbered 01810 on bolster in Aus8 and Dymondwood / Pakkawood
– Also sold under Parker Custom Series, USA.
Hattori Master Hunter IV H-203 in ATS-34 and Winchester H203 in Aus8.
The Winchester H-103. This one has the number 01790; on the right side of the ricasso and marked 440 STAINLESS. The handle is made from German silver, black and white spacers and green Dymondwood / Pakkawood.
I just acquired a large Browning folder identical to the U.S.A. model featured at the top of the page. What is the name/model number of the knife and manufacture information, including designer/manufacturer and dates.
Unfortunately, the previous owner was a bafoon and sharpened it on a grinder marking up the fine blade. The rest of the knife is in good condition, however.
Your Browning folder was designed by Gil Hibbens and made in Utah in the 1970s.Most likely your knife is brass and rosewood scales. In the 1980s that model was called the 506 but I don’t know what it was called in the 1970s. You may
find the answer at a Browning specific forum, or try Bernard Levine’s knife ID section on Bladeforums.com.
I was recently informed that the USA made model was the called Browning 4018. Same as the 506 that came later,
Ken-
You might be interested in this thread over on Duckhuntingchat.com – I quoted your website, hope you don’t mind. Seriously, thank you for putting your site together – I’ve been wondering for 30 years what kind of knife I had. Well done, sir.
http://www.duckhuntingchat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=827129&p=8794393#p8794393
Scott
Ken,
This site is an amazing reference for Mr.Hattori craftmanship and skills. I admire his work and can call a few my own. Thank you very much for putting this together.
Simon
I bought a #506 in late 70’s or early 80’s “made in Japan. My brother had same knife, not sure if same# or not. His was made in Belgium or Germany? I recently bought another one “made in USA”. JAPAN model appears to be significately heavier. Same model I think but USA model seems to be lighter version. USA model does not have #506 and back end is slightly different.
The USA made model may be the Model 40F, Multi Purpose Folder.
I have a model 3718 in very good condition ,what’s it worth?
The Kershaw Trooper from him is nice have one from 79 without the blood groove so is TaiPan 13d from Cold Steel.
The Kershaw Trooper from him is nice have one from 79 without the blood groove. He made tons of knives in Seki
I have a 2 Bly trapper w/stag handles stamped browning Germany has the browning deer logo, I got it about 1981-2. It is not like the wood handled one in 70’s thank you for any info you can give.
This site is about Hattori of Seki and he made several knives for Browning which are marked Japan.. Obviously he did not make the Browning knives marked Germany. Suggest you ask on a Browning Knife site or try Blade Forums.
Would Mr. Hattori have made the Browning Classic Damascus Fighter as well, or would that have been a separate Seki maker? thank you.
“Two models were produced by Hattori and production was limited to 1,000 knives of each. Model 3816 Double Edge Damascus Hunter and the Classic Damascus Fighter. They retailed for $350.00 in 1985.”
Hello from germany,
I have a question. The lower knife shown in the link, is that a Hattori Style Winchester?
https://www.bilder-upload.eu/bild-830c8c-1619442316.jpg.html
Thanks a lot
Yes, that Winchester marked knife is one of the models made for Precise as well.
Thank you KenH
Did Hattori design and/or make the Browning 501 and 502? It’s probably my favorite EDC light duty pocket knife. Thank you.
Hattori made them but I believe Gil Hibben designed them for Browning.
Good to know. Thank you Sir.
Hello,
I have a Japanese made Browning model 721 which is identical to model 53. Only the handle material seems to differ.
I an wondering if this model was made by the great master himself. I have sent an email with pictures.
I would like to hear your opinion about this model.\
Regards,
Mark
I recently acquired a Browning 302 knife labeled Japan at an estate sale. It has 2 blades and came in a woven leather case. Can you tell me anything about this knife such as age, maker, etc. Thanks
They were made by Moki, of Seki Japan.
Hello, I own a Browning model 721 and would like to purchase the same knife but with stage handles but I have forgotten the model number and have had no luck finding out what it is online, hoping you could help.
The Stag version is Model 53.
Hello Ken,
Was the Browning damascus classic fighter also made by Ichiro? The article states that two models were made by him. It states that second model was the Brwoning Dasmascus Classic Hunter. Shouldn’t that be Classic fighter or was that one made by some else?
Regards,
Mark
Mark,
You are correct of course.
Thank you for catching that typo.
Regards
Ken
Hello, just got an unmarked Hattori? Hunter 1700A.
Is there anyway I can confirm if it really is an Hattori blade?
Regards,
PJ
PJ,
If you can send me photos of your 1700A I can tell you if it is authentic.
kurobune1852@gmail dot com