Model 1204: Interesting Italian humpback

[BestVintageKnives]

Here is a neat one my friend found before Xmas. He was having trouble sealing the deal so he asked for my help.

I was able to buy it, have it delivered to me and then I sent it up to my friend. He said I could keep the knife since I was able to land the deal. But it’s a rare valuable knife so I said fair is fair and he found it so it’s his.

I remember long ago there was a guy who used to fight with Tim Zinser (rest his soul) every day about the origin of these.

Patents and catalog dates don’t lie.

The older and original humpback is Model number 1203. It was designed in 1959 and the Patent was granted in 1960.

This Model 1204 came much later. Both are seen side by side in this newer Maniago catalog. Most of them are found marked PATS PEND on the rear of the ricasso.

[Pile Driver]

That's awesome, someone is lucky you helped secure a real keeper

[Highspeedsteel]

Great info!

[Folgore1]

Frank Beltrame re-made these around 10 years ago or so i had bunch of them but sold them all i should have kept one or more but i did not like the design of the knife as the way i hold a stiletto i put my palm against the backspring and hold kinda tight but with the hump-back lock in the way i could not hold the knife like i wanted to and with a slight to just a little pressure on that lock the blade would bounce back and not lock into open position so i sold them all . from the design i dont think there is much you could use this knife for other than self defense and hope you dont have your hand on the lock trying to stab or cut something . way its designed you kinda have to hold it weak handed. i think this is probably the only model stiletto i dont like but only because of the hump back-lock i mean its a stiletto and i love it just dont like that lock in my way

[BestVintageKnives]

Frank Beltrame re-made these around 10 years ago or so i had bunch of them but sold them all i should have kept one or more but i did not like the design of the knife as the way i hold a stiletto i put my palm against the backspring and hold kinda tight but with the hump-back lock in the way i could not hold the knife like i wanted to and with a slight to just a little pressure on that lock the blade would bounce back and not lock into open position so i sold them all . from the design i dont think there is much you could use this knife for other than self defense and hope you dont have your hand on the lock trying to stab or cut something . way its designed you kinda have to hold it weak handed. i think this is probably the only model stiletto i dont like but only because of the hump back-lock i mean its a stiletto and i love it just dont like that lock in my way

There a couple styles that don’t suit me either but yes it’s a stiletto so it can’t be bad. Lol

[BestVintageKnives]

My friend Vinny Federico, author of the book Foreign Spring Steel has a really nice 11” Model 1204. I’ll see if I can post it. I don’t like sharing things that aren’t mine unless I’m given permission. It’s the gentlemanly thing to do.

[BestVintageKnives]

Here is my manual version of the 1959/60 model. Model 1203.

This is a salesman sample model with the model number written with a grease pencil on the back side. It too says
PATS PEND. Made before the patent was granted.

Dead mint.

[Highspeedsteel]

It would be incredible to see a 12cm or even a 33cm model 1204

[BestVintageKnives]

It would be incredible to see a 12cm or even a 33cm model 1204

That would be amazing. But highly unlikely. You could collect for 50+ years and not have anything like that.

[Highspeedsteel]

You've seen these ones before but R & L are both 1204 models, 12cm and 33cm... going to be tough building a full set I have a feeling haha

[BestVintageKnives]

You've seen these ones before but R & L are both 1204 models, 12cm and 33cm... going to be tough building a full set I have a feeling haha

Incredible!! No one has knives like this!! Are you trolling me!?! Lol

[BestVintageKnives]

I talked to my friend Vin. His is a Mauser.

I’ll see about posting it tonight.

[Highspeedsteel]

I think Vin's is a 28cm / 11"... he asked about mine when I'd posted them initially. Be cool to get them all together but doesn't seem likely.

Is there a connection between the Mauser and Victory stamped knives?

[BestVintageKnives]

I think Vin's is a 28cm / 11"... he asked about mine when I'd posted them initially. Be cool to get them all together but doesn't seem likely.

Is there a connection between the Mauser and Victory stamped knives?

I heard from Vin and I dug out his photos. He didn’t have access to his knives or photos right now. I sent him the ones I have of his knife. We talk all the time so I’m sure he’ll let me post them. I just don’t want to steal his. Posting images or catalogs that aren’t yours is considered stealing in this hobby. I believe in giving credit where credit is due.

Here is a 33cm I found many years back…

[wiseguy]

Very difficult to find information/model number on these old scarce knives….ones eyes could shrivel up like raisins and fall out on their keyboard searching, and still come up empty lol
Nice job BVK!

[Pile Driver]

Thanks for your help down the home stretch, it is a permanent collection piece

[wiseguy]

[BestVintageKnives]

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Thanks for your help down the home stretch, it is a permanent collection piece

You deserve it. You’re a great collector.