soundmotor
super modified
I picked these up today at auction. They were part of a (10) knife lot which featured 2 other switchblades. There was another lot with a couple good knives in it but i stayed out. That lot went first and it was a slugfest. Then this lot came up and the other bidder on it was the winner of the first knife lot. He bailed way earlier than he should have as this was the better of the two but I think what he'd just spent on the first one help him back. Run scored!
Left to Right
Earliest BSA knife I've ever seen. Sterling Knife Co. NY, blade & auger w/ 1915 patent date and BSA "Be Prepared" shield on celluloid scales. I cannot even find a picture of this type in any of my BSA resources. It's dirty with some blade sharpening and a bit loose but good grief, early BSA and likely near the 100YO point.
Post '58 to early '60s, 8" Italian made fake switchblade, first one I've ever seen in the wild and it is a stunner. An 8" is an odd size and rare. This one has the factory edge, never sharpened (!!!) w/ mirror polish, lock-back, nickel silver "button" inset in gorgeous & bug-bite free horn scales. Made in Italy stamp no maker. If I was only going to have one to represent these, this is the one. This was what i was bidding on and I would have gone much higher.
Pre-'58 Colonial Knife Co. Providence, RI "Shur-Snap" switchblade. It works and has break & chip free swirled green plastic scales. Blade wobbles when locked but these usually do. Blade is dark & scuffed but was never taken to the school metal shop grinder.
Pre-'58 George Schrade Bridgeport, CT "Presto" switchblade. Broken main spring but good lock-up with tortoiseshell scales and some spot damage. Blade wobbles & safety does not engage. It goes into the ultrasonic cleaner to see if that sorts out. Minor school metal shop grinder chatter on blade but only one time and it will sharpen out. I may send this one off for repair, Schrades are getting harder to find with the stiletto style bolsters and fishtail.
So, this was a really good day!
Left to Right
Earliest BSA knife I've ever seen. Sterling Knife Co. NY, blade & auger w/ 1915 patent date and BSA "Be Prepared" shield on celluloid scales. I cannot even find a picture of this type in any of my BSA resources. It's dirty with some blade sharpening and a bit loose but good grief, early BSA and likely near the 100YO point.
Post '58 to early '60s, 8" Italian made fake switchblade, first one I've ever seen in the wild and it is a stunner. An 8" is an odd size and rare. This one has the factory edge, never sharpened (!!!) w/ mirror polish, lock-back, nickel silver "button" inset in gorgeous & bug-bite free horn scales. Made in Italy stamp no maker. If I was only going to have one to represent these, this is the one. This was what i was bidding on and I would have gone much higher.
Pre-'58 Colonial Knife Co. Providence, RI "Shur-Snap" switchblade. It works and has break & chip free swirled green plastic scales. Blade wobbles when locked but these usually do. Blade is dark & scuffed but was never taken to the school metal shop grinder.
Pre-'58 George Schrade Bridgeport, CT "Presto" switchblade. Broken main spring but good lock-up with tortoiseshell scales and some spot damage. Blade wobbles & safety does not engage. It goes into the ultrasonic cleaner to see if that sorts out. Minor school metal shop grinder chatter on blade but only one time and it will sharpen out. I may send this one off for repair, Schrades are getting harder to find with the stiletto style bolsters and fishtail.
So, this was a really good day!