Yea. I lived the same life with my dad. I still have most of his old generic tools. I still have the old nuts and bolts that I sorted out about 1965. They are priceless.
Those are some classics. I learn years ago to carry a large knife to be aware it is in your pocket to avoid losing it. But I still lose one once in a while. Nice knives.
I believe Whitworth was the company that produced mine. I have found a rabbit hole that explains the made in England but using standard American sizes.
The clip looks like Springsteel. It also looks as you can heat and bend the ears of the top of the clip. And clip the bottom apart and open the eyes. Then maybe slide the clip out. But a good cleaning will tell you more.
I think the clip is to put a bind on the guide rods. Once the clip is...
If you collect. Now if you buy to resale, it's different ball game. I am like the Amish, I buy I don't sell. Most my stuff. I got into buying for what I thought people would want for their collections. That don't work.