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TWO EARLY VINTAGE LEATHERMAN PERSONAL SURVIVOR TOOLS WITH ORIGINAL SHEATHS
One based on physical evidence is a 1983-1984 vintage Early Winters,Ltd. LEATHERMAN Pocket Toolchest CIRCA 1983-1984. The other, based on physical evidence is anearly to mid-80’s LEATHERMAN Pocket Survivor Tool (PST). Each are in unused conditionand include the original leather sheaths.
The first order by Early Winters, Ltd. was for 200 in 1983along with the initial order for 500 placed by Cabela’s in 1983. I was given theEarly Winters example by a friend in 1984.
Specifications for the Early Winters, Ltd. example as follows:
1983 Made in USA for Early Winters Ltd. (Based on “Leatherman”only in plier pivot and only the patent number stamped on the handle)
Knurled screw construction
No lanyard attachment
Small diameter plier pivot
Only LEATHERMAN cast into the plier pivot (1983 only, LEATHERMAN+ USA in 1984)
No hard wire cutter notch in plier head
One handle stamped US PAT 4238862 only, unique to EarlyWinters, LTD. Order only (No LEATHERMAN TOOL and PORTLAND OR stamp)
Other handle marked BLANK (Would have been Cabelas in the sametime period)
Inch (Imperial) ruler only, no metric
No date codes (precedes date code assignment)
Drop point knife blade
Knife tang not stamped (blade etched LEATHERMAN USA) uniqueto 1983
Milled awl blade
Off center screwdrivers pivot IN
Can opener has left hand cut
The initial Early Winters, Ltd. order of 200 in late 1983along with Cabela’s order of 500 in 1983 led to the LEATHERMAN Tool Group oftoday. This item listing may include one of the earliest examples with theoriginal sheath based on physical evidence and when I received this tool.
Specifications for the early to mid-1980’s LEATHERMAN PST version as follows:
Knurled screw construction
No lanyard attachment
Small diameter plier pivot
LEATHERMAN USE cast into the plier pivot (beginning in 1984)
No hard wire cutter notch in plier head
One handle stamped LEATHERMAN TOOL, US PAT 4238862, and PORTLANDOR
Other handle marked in large letters POCKET SURVIVAL TOOL
Inch (Imperial) ruler only, no metric
No date codes (precedes date code assignment)
Drop point knife blade
Knife tang stamped LEATHERMAN USA
Milled awl blade
Off center screwdrivers pivot IN
Can opener has left hand cut
Physical evidence indicates it is of 1984 – early 1985construction before use of riveted construction period between 1985 –early 1989 that were made in Japan concurrently.
I found that I could rub the green film off the bronze/brass rivets, but I stopped to keep the finish undisturbed.
