Swiss Army Knife - Knives Issued By The Swiss Military

Knives Issued By The Swiss Military

Since the first issue as personal equipment in 1891 the Soldatenmesser (Soldier Knives) issued by the Swiss Armed Forces have been revised several times. There are five different main Modelle (models). Their model numbers refer to the year of introduction in the military supply chain. Several main models have been revised over time and therefore exist in different Ausführungen (executions), also denoted by the year of introduction. The issued models by the Swiss Armed Forces are:

• Modell 1890
  • Modell 1890 Ausführung 1901
• Modell 1908
• Modell 1951
  • Modell 1951 Ausführung 1954
  • Modell 1951 Ausführung 1957
• Modell 1961
  • Modell 1961 Ausführung 1965
  • Modell 1961 Ausführung 1978
  • Modell 1961 Ausführung 1994
• Soldatenmesser 08 (Soldier Knife 08)

The knives issued to officers have never differed from those issued to non-commissioned officers or privates. A model incorporating a corkscrew and scissors was produced as an officer's tool, but was deemed not "essential for survival", leaving officers to purchase it individually.