history
Victorinox produced model no. 239 from around 1900 to around 1930. In principle, it was a model no. 237, which had 3 tools installed on the back instead of 2. The price difference around 1910 was CHF 1 (CHF 8 for a model no. 239; CHF 7 for a model no. 237). The model no. 239 was available in 3 different versions, with the additional designations B, S and L. The model no. 239 B had a drill in the middle on the back, the model no. 239 S had a narrow screwdriver and the model no. 239 L a Leather Punch (B for Drill; L for Leather Punch; S for Slim Screwdriver). Model No. 239 is listed in the catalogs up until the 1930s. These 3 models practically never appear on the market, which is why it can be assumed that they were only produced in very small numbers. What is special about model no. 239 is that the liners do not run through the back as is usual with other army knives, but are cut out where the 3 tools rest on the back. The reason for this was that otherwise there would not have been enough space for the closed tools.
functional parts
The model no. 239 had a small and a large cutting blade, the can opener and the screwdriver, an awl and a corkscrew on the back as well as a saw. In addition, depending on the variant, model no. 239 had a third tool in the middle on the back; for model no. 239 B a drill, for model no. 239 L a punch, for model no. 239 S a narrow screwdriver. The model no. 239 was optionally available with a bracket.
material thickness
Large cutting blade: 2.8 mm; Screwdriver: 2.5mm; Can opener: 2.5 mm; small cutting blade: 2.0 mm; Awl: 2.5 mm; Corkscrew: 3.2mm; saw: 2.2 mm; Drill, punch or small screwdriver: 2.2 mm
construction
Model no. 239 is a 3-layer pocket knife. The upper layer consists of the can opener, the screwdriver and an awl on the back. The middle tier consists of the saw and drill/punch/narrow screwdriver on the back, and the bottom tier consists of the small and large cutting blades and the corkscrew on the back. There is one tool on the back of each layer. The saw, small cutting blade and can opener are attached to the foot rivet as well as the optional bracket.
scale material
Victorinox used brown fiber scales or horn scales for the No. 239 model.
Liners/spacers/rivets
The liners and intermediate layer are made of brass, the rivets are made of steel or brass.