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The Waffenkontroleur patch is from 1995 until 2007.  I always like to
add that little extra to the knives. This patch was issued to full time
military personal or civil workers who acts as quality control or
specialists for complex weapons systems like Stinger, M-109 artillery,
special sniper guns, etc.



  The patch background is

   1. A grey cross with a smaller red cross was added in 1995 to a lot
      of official documents.
   2. The "red" gear wheel  is the insignia for repair/mechanical  units
   3. The arms inspectors have a crossed rifle (a karabiner) and cannon.
   4. It is written in two of the four official languages.
   5. And finally the outline of Switzerland in the middle.



I cannot give you the official start dates for the (wk) stamps. I
believe the inspection stamps started in 1908. This article is more of
what to look for. 



The red fiber (wk) stamp was found on my 1949 knife.



In 1961 with the introduction of the red alox model, the stamp was put
in the middle of the large embossed cross. The red alox coloring did not
wear very well and was not used after 1965.



The 1965 knives are the
natural color, but still the (wk) was still stamped in the middle of the
large cross.



In 1978 the scale had a small square molded into the
handle.  The (wk) was stamped into this area. 



Then around 1987 the Swiss Government gave both companies a really big compliment. After 70
years of perfect quality and workmanship, the Swiss Government said
there is no longer a requirement for quality inspections. Both factories
probably had a stockpile of these armed forces scales. Being frugal and
Swiss, nothing is ever wasted. You will find lots of knives with
unstamped scales and 1988 and 1989 stamped on the blades.



http://www.victorinox.ch/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=487&lang=E
<http://www.victorinox.ch/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=487&lang=E>

Stop by the factory site and enjoy the soldier story.