M. Klein & Sons Chicago, USA TL-29 electrician/lineman knife circa 1940s-50s (B)

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Seller: eartrumpet10 ✉️ (676) 100%, Location: Rineyville, Kentucky, US, Ships to: WORLDWIDE, Item: 235080743797 M. Klein & Sons Chicago, USA TL-29 electrician/lineman knife circa 1940s-50s (B).   A beautiful vintage wood-handle carbon steel blade M. Klein & Sons TL-29 tool knife made in USA. Circa approximately post WWII to 1950s/early 60s.   The TL-29 dates back to at least May of 1919 when the first Army specification was put together, but the knife was undoubtedly manufactured and issued prior to this.  Early knives have elaborate escutcheons (typically nickel-silver) with markings indicating the Signal Corps as “SC USA”, “US Signal Corps”, or "TL-29", etc.  The TL-29 is an electrician's / linesman's professional liner locking tool knife that carried on through WWII as a military issue item and is still made today by US and overseas manufacturers. The TL stands for “Tool for Linesman” and "29" is the numerical nomenclature for the knife.    The military issue version of this knife has a "TL-29"  marking embossed on one side of the wood scale handles or stamped / engraved on a metal escutcheon on the early models (WWI era and shortly after) while the post WWII models like this one do not - otherwise they are identical.    It is possible that this knife could date back even earlier than 1940s-50s, to the "between wars" 1919-1940s era as manufacturers continued making them for sale on the civilian market (minus the TL-29 marking) but made to the same mil specs.  As there is no serial # and no clear distinguishing feature(s) it is very difficult to nail down the exact date of manufacture to other than 1940s/50s or earlier.    Later (ie: 1960s-70s and on through current day) M. Klein & Sons TL-29 type knives had brown plastic handle scales with a molded-in wood grain. By the time of the Vietnam War (1965 on) most other TL-29 manufacturers had also changed over to plastic composition handles, which were less affected by the heat and humidity of Southeast Asia and were also more chemical / oil resistant than wood.       Wood handle scales (possibly rosewood), carbon steel blades, brass liners, carbon steel bail. From a non-smoking home, stored in controlled temperature and humidity conditions. ++++++++++  Background: I bought this knife used as part of a collection of TL-29 type knives in approximately 2010 (do not recall exact date now).  I have kept it in humidity controlled storage when not in use, and kept it clean, dry and lightly oiled. Little used since buying it as I have other daily use knives, to include a virtually identical same-era M. Klein model (but without a bail) I do use regularly for home / auto etc work.   From personal experience with the heavy use I have put that knife to (home electrical/maintenance and auto maintenance,etc...) I can state this is a very rugged well-built knife that will stand up to the toughest knife tasks!   I do not know this knife's previous ownership history but although it was clearly used (slight patina on both blades, as well as sharpening marks) it was was also obviously well-cared for and clean inside and out when I bought it.  ++++++++++ CONDITION - see photos for overall appearance:   Solidly built with the high quality materials and superb fit and finish expected from this era of a US made knife built to military specs. The hardwood handles, thick (1/8 inch) carbon steel blades & backsprings and solid brass liners and liner lock will last from generation to generation.  o backsprings are strong and in excellent condition, no structural/mechanical issues o The spear point knife blade opens into place on its stop with no lateral wobble, but has no remaining snap from wear over time - it is 70 to 80 years old! The screwdriver blade has a strong opening and closing snap, locks solidly into place with no wobble in open position  and has a brass liner lock that holds it solidly in place. o knife is clean inside and out, wood handles are smooth with some wear marks but no cracks, dryness or splintering, bright metal surfaces throughout with only a slight patina in some spots, typical of carbon steel. It is quite obvious this knife was been well-maintained by the previous owner and never allowed to rust. o blades and handle have surface wear marks in keeping with the age of this knife, with some sharpening marks on the blades - main blade profile slightly altered from sharpening over the years. ++++++++++ SPECIFICATIONS: o flat ground carbon steel blades blade with nail nick o hardwood handle scales - very likely rosewood as I know Klein used this material on their knives during this timeframe. o blade thickness: 1/8 inch / 3.0 mm o spear point knife blade length (base of tang to tip): 2 7/8 inches  /  76.2 mm o flat tip screwdriver / wire stripper blade:   3.0 inches  /  73.02 mm o blade edge type - both blades: plain (no serrations) note: as on all TL-29s the screwdriver blade has only a portion of the blade sharpened and is blunt at the tip. o length closed: 3 3/4 inches  /  95.25 mm o length open (knife blade): 6 1/2 inches  /  165.1 mm o width: 5/8 inch  /  15.87 mm o weight: 3 3/4 ounces  /  106.3 grams ++++++++++ Klein Company history (in part from: www kleintools com/history )   Klein Tools is an American company based in Lincolnshire, IL that manufactures hand tools; founded in 1857 by German immigrant Mathias Klein. Doing business as "M. Klein & Sons" during the 1940s-50s era this knife was made, and currently known as "Klein Tools, Inc.".    Now in the 5th generation of Klein family ownership (as of 2022), it has grown and developed along with the telecommunications and electrical industries where Klein pliers (their first product) first found major use in the mid 1800s.   The Klein Tools, Inc. product line today includes, in addition to knives, virtually every major type of hand tool used in construction, electronics, mining, and general industry in addition to the electrical and telecommunications fields. ++++++++++ Klein knives are not widely known in knife enthusiast circles since Klein Tools Inc. is not primarily a knife maker. Their knife line is a natural outgrowth of the company's heritage and focus on hand tools for the professional trades market: construction, electronics, mining, general industry, as well as the electrical and today the telecommunications trades. ++++++++++ Other related mil-issue linesman tools: o TL-13A - Linesman Pliers and Pouch o Pouch Type CS-34/Signal Corps US Army - a leather pouch for the TL-13 pliers and the TL-29 knife. o Pouch Type CS-35 - During World War 2, the cost and difficulty of procuring leather led to this fabric/mesh pouch. o Tool Equipment TE-5 - The TE-5 pouch consisted of the TL-29 knife, 1 set of pliers, 1 pair of scissors, a ruler, tweezers, and a file.  This particular item is of interest to collectors and is extremely difficult to find as a complete set. TL-29 Manufacturers There are so many manufacturers of this particular knife, it would be much easier putting together a list of companies which didn't manufacture it.  The most commonly found ones I have seen are the following: (note that this is NOT an all inclusive list.)   o Camillus - tang-stamped either "Camillus" or "CAMCO" depending on the era o Cattaraugus o Colonial o Imperial o Ka-Bar o Kingston o Miller Brothers o Remington o Schrade - the Schrade-made TL-29s I have seen are tang-stamped "SCC" for Schrade Cutlery Corporation - not "Schrade".   o Ulster o Utica - tang-stamped either "Utica" or "Kutmaster" ++++++++++ Please examine photos and description carefully in order to avoid unnecessary returns Shipping cost includes all handling charges - will combine shipping on multiple items purchased. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions. Would ask that buyer please pay within 5 days after purchasing.
  • Condition: Used
  • Condition: Good cosmetically, mechanically and structurally super solid condition, ready for Every Day Carry use!!
  • Blade Material: Carbon Steel
  • Dexterity: Ambidextrous
  • Blade Range: 2.75 inches - 69.85 mm
  • Opening Mechanism: Manual
  • Color: brown wood handles
  • Tools: knife, wire stripper, flat tip screwdriver
  • Blade Edge: Plain
  • Modified Item: No
  • Brand: M. Klein & Sons
  • Blade Type: Clip Point, flat tip screwdriver/wire stripper blade
  • Lock Type: slipjoint & liner lock
  • Type: TL-29 electrician/lineman knife
  • Year: approximately post-WWII to 1950s
  • Model: TL-29 electrician/lineman knife
  • Original/Reproduction: Original
  • Number of Blades: 2
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Handle Material: wood (likely rosewood)
  • Product Line: Trade professional's tool knife

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