This a pretty unusual Swiss Army Knife from the 1950s. Its model name probably was 653 G but the smooth alumin(i)um scales on this one are a much lighter shade than the, at that time, standard gold alox scales. Nowadays we would call this an alox Ambassador even though the more recent Ambassador model typically has cellidor scales.
This particular knife has the text 75 JAHRE MESSERFABRIK ELSENER etched on the main blade. Given that the Elsener knife factory was established in 1884, this Ambassador can be dated back to 1959. It has all the period correct features like the single leaf spring and the older style scissors and nailfile.
Hello! This is the first time that i see somewhere else this special edition with Victorinox (Victoria) 75 Jahre Messerfabrik Elsener writing. I have an 84mm buffalo horn scales with long nail file, scissors etc. with the same special edition on the main blade. Do you have any other info about them ? I cant find a thing about it on the internet.
Hi Paul. Thanks for your message. I have no additional information about this knife (or yours for that matter). Maybe it was a corporate gift for the employees, just like they did with that 500 Million SwissChamp a few years ago?
Very cool to hear about your horn scaled SAK with the same etching!