MANUFACTURER/BRAND: Browning

MODEL NUMBER: 575

PATTERN NAME: Large Drop Point

ITEM NUMBER: 322-575

LIMITED EDITION: 253 of 500. This is from the Browning "MASTERSMITH COLLECTION," part of Browning's "Master Knifemaker Series." Browning entered into an association with five of the most prestigious knifemakers in the country, all of which have earned Mastersmith ratings with the American Blade Society (ABS). Each of the five top knifemakers were to produce two designs, with the second design from each bladesmith not becoming available for sale until his first design has been completely sold. (NOTE: I HAVE A TOTAL OF EIGHT OF THESE "MASTERSMITH" KNIVES FOR SALE, TWO DESIGNS EACH FROM FOUR OF THE FIVE KNIFEMAKERS IN THIS SERIES. SEE MY OTHER eBay AUCTIONS.) This knife is # 253 of 500 produced by John Fitch, his first design. John teaches knifemaking at "Hammer-Ins" for the ABS across the country. He finished second at the 2003 annual ABS World Championship Cutting Competition and third in 2004. These "Mastersmith" knives were introduced in the 2006 Browning catalog (see the two scanned pages from the 2006 Browning catalog at the end of the pictures). 

SERIAL NUMBER: Number "253 of 500." 

BLADE: 5 3/4" large drop-point.

BLADE MATERIAL: Made from high carbon steel with a .188 satin finish.

OAL: 10 11/16"

HANDLE: One-piece Stabilized Curly Maple with a stainless steel finger guard and a hidden tang.

MARKINGS: Fitch (in script on the front tang). “MODEL 575 U.S.A.” (on the back tang). It has the Buckmark logo and "BrowninG" on the front of the blade and the Serial Number "253 of 500" on the rear of the blade. (All these markings have been lasered into the metal.)

SHIELD: None

PINS: None

BOLSTER: Stainless Steel Finger Guard

SHEATH: Custom-made top-grain folded and stitched leather belt sheath (unmarked). 

YEAR OF MANUFACTURE: 2006

BOX:  Original two-piece slip top box.

PAPERWORK: None.

CONDITION: I would rate the knife at 95% condition. Although this knife has never been sharpened (it still has the factory edge), it has been used. It has some stains on the blade; I have tried to wipe them off, and used some cleaning solution from my wife's kitchen, but to no avail. Perhaps these stains could be polished out, but such is beyond my expertise. The curly maple handle, the finger guard, and the sheath are perfect. Although used, there are no nicks in the blade.

PAYMENT: PayPal. Please contact me if you need to send a Cashier's Check or Money Order.

SHIPPING: You have two choices: USPS Priority Mail with tracking number or USPS Ground Advantage with tracking number, each calculated based on your shipping address (see the eBay shipping calculator). USPS Ground Advantage takes a couple days longer than USPS Priority Mail. Shipping only to USA addresses.

RETURN POLICY: Only if you feel the item has been misrepresented. Buyer pays return shipping and refund is only for the original purchase price.

TAXATION: Some states require the collection of taxes. eBay collects these and submits these to the proper authorities. I have no control over this.