Switchblade

[BullShoot]

Would someone please assist me? Does this knife have any collector interest or value? Anything you can tell me would help.

Blade marked ''Imperial'' with a crown replacing the dot over the ''i''
Over ''PROV USA''

The other side has what appears to be a serial number but seems odd....

2170537
P
2281782

The blade is 3 3/8'' long, the opened LOA is 7 1/2''.


BullShoot - who is not a knife specialist but who is in need of your knowledge.

[johnlives4christ]

id be interested in it just cause it's odd and neat. i never seen an automatic on the texas toothpick style

[denny 714]

Hey Bull,

You bet it has collector value, That is a very old switchblade....It looks similar to an old Scharade or Walden NY company type of knife.
The guy who would know, is on this forum, and his name is Bill DeShives, he is a legend and has several knives that bear his name. I belive he also has his own internet website.
Try Bill DeShives.com

Denny G.

[Bill DeShivs]

DeShivs.
The knife is a pre 1958 Imperial "Hammer" brand knife. These were sold off of cardboard cards (for less than $2.00) in many stores back then. They are similar in operation to the Schrade knives, but use one piece handle/bolster halves which were attached to the liners with a thin metal tab folded over at each end. These handles used a thin celluloid overlay wrapped around the handles.
The one pictured is in apparently very good condition. I would value it at $100-$125 retail.

[BullShoot]

WOW. I had no idea. Thanks, guys.

Every now and then, I buy things on ''instinct'' rather than sound knowledge. You know how that goes, I'm sure. Some days you get the bear; some days the bear gets you. I got this switchblade and a US Marine Corp 4-blade folder for less than what I paid for the Case knife in my pocket right now. It seemed right at the time.

BTW, is that really a serial number? Two seven digit numbers seems excessive for an SN but maybe a model number for the knife?

I plan to sell both knives - to help support my gun hobby.

Bill, I went to your website. Now I know why you speak so authoritatively on the subject.

Thanks again, gents, all of you. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and insights.

BullShoot

[Big ugly]

My dad had the same knife but in an Orange handle and the blade is a bit darker, I am not shure on the age but I will call him tomorrow to get the details on his and mabbe get him to E-mail me a pic. I know these are old and worth quite a bit as far as knives go. I'll Send ya a PM after I talk to the Ole Grouch later on today.

[Bill DeShivs]

Those are not serial numbers.

[BullShoot]

///Those are not serial numbers. ///

I didn't think so Bill, but couldn't quite decide what they represented. Could it be the maker's girlfriend's phone number - and the second set of seven for the other girlfriend? Catalog number? Design number? Contract number?

BullShoot - confused.

[Bill DeShivs]

Patent numbers, probably.

[BullShoot]

Probably so.

Duh, hadn't thought of the obvious.

Thanks Bill

[bassrocker4God04]

I don't know i like the girlfriend idea... give em a ring and see what happens! ☺☺

[dustydog]

Originally Posted by bassrocker4God04

I don't know i like the girlfriend idea... give em a ring and see what happens! ☺☺

Ah,reminds me of a Labor Day campout with a few(around 500) friends back in 1978.My then girlfriend,the first really true love of my life,popped one of these open under my chin and said she would cut my throat if she saw me looking at a certain other girl ever again.Such is True Love!