The combination of tang stamps and emblems can be used for dating a Wenger knife. The design of the main blade, functions, emblems and stamps all got an evolution. I believe on Wenger stamps that
the placing, precision and easy identification are key factors. It is rather fascinating to look upon knives and try to find any system for them. With Wenger knives and especially from the late 1970s and up there are a few details that are extra interesting.
With all Swiss Army Knives you can find production variations and with Wenger you can find knives with such factors. From research it stands out all the way how important an emblem and tang stamps are for Wenger. There are small production variations on the
emblem and stamps. On the pictures you can see a time window from the late 1970s until the 1990s.
Only the stamp itself would be difficult to copy with success and it is for sure with Wenger
that the combination emblem and stamp are related. There are variations here on purpose.
The key for identification on the Wenger knives are the evolution of the design, functions and innovations.
I do believe but I may be wrong that it is the same as with Victorinox about the variations from the production itself but also on purpose. If there are obvious changes then these are most likely evolution. If a stamp looks completely the same but only one
is deeper than the other then it can be production variations but also on purpose and how the stampings are done or made.
The evolution and design of the body of the knife may influence the
position of the stamp or it can be evolution on the blades and springs that can influence the position. I am rather sure that the Wenger key is the placing, precision and how distinct the letters are. The stamp and emblem makes it very easy to identify it.
It would be a nightmare to try and make a system out of the stamps and there may or not always be the case any system would exist at all. I do believe Wenger have secured their product from time to time with minor variations too. If there is a clear evolution
it is many other factors involved. It would be only speculation to be sure. I do see on knives that production variations could sometimes be done on purpose. I am not sure if Wenger have had the same problem with fakes like Victorinox have. In any sense I
would expect the use of Swiss symbols to be strongly protected by both companies and that they secures some factors on them.
The Wenger stamp used in the 1980s and 1990s may in many cases
look completely the same but there are differences from all the factors I have mentioned. But for sure I would expect some small secrets on them for sure.