What I have is a two bladed automatic knife that measures 3 and 3/8th inches closed. It has a triggering device on each side, slightly offset from center to actuate each individual blade. I\'ve been told the handle material is tortise shell, and the end caps are silver.
The bottom of one blade is marked \"CATTARAUGUS CUTLERY Co. LITTLE VALLEY N.Y.\"on one side and \"L.C. US PAT OF\" and has something I can\'t make out in script above it on the other. The other blade has \"CATTARAUGUS CUTLERY Co. LITTLE VALLEY N.Y.\" on one side and\"U.S. PAT MARCH 5 1918\" on the other.
One blade is broken off at the bottom, and the other has been sharpened so many times, it\'s missing about 1/8th of an inch. in length. I believe that when it was new, both blades would have been about 2 inches long.
The springs and other internal mechanisms are in perfect working order, and thehandles are not cracked or chipped.
I have posted some pictures, so check them out and let me know what you know about this knife. Thanks for the help
UPDATE: 29 MAR 05
I did some research on the patent date, and found that the knife was actually invented and patented by GEORGE SCHRADE. (Patent number 1,258,150). So is this actually a Schrade knife with Cattaraugus blades? I guess the next question is about the knife's rarity and value. If anyone out there knows who I could contact to find out, PLEASE let me know. Thanks.
Please help me identify this CATTARAUGUS automatic knife
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cjp617
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 12:29 am
- Location: Georgia
Please help me identify this CATTARAUGUS automatic knife
- Attachments
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- Knife4.JPG (120.25 KiB) Viewed 4160 times
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- Knife3.JPG (123.1 KiB) Viewed 4160 times
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- Knife1.JPG (165.46 KiB) Viewed 4160 times
cjp617
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Bryan
- Gold Tier
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- Location: Illinois
Hi cjp,
This one has me pretty much stumped as I haven't seen a Cattaraugus like it. I will give you my best guess though...
I would speculate that the Press Button Knife Company originally pattented the design. They were part of Walden Knives which is where George Schrade would come into the picture. According to BLG 3, the press button knife company manufactured knives from 1882 - 1923. (They are very collectable by the way.) Maybe Cattaraugus paid to use the design, or made the knife for Walden...? Very cool knife. With the semi translucent imitation tortoise shell handles, It looks like you could see the internal parts if you held it to the light. Added bonus.
Bryan
This one has me pretty much stumped as I haven't seen a Cattaraugus like it. I will give you my best guess though...
I would speculate that the Press Button Knife Company originally pattented the design. They were part of Walden Knives which is where George Schrade would come into the picture. According to BLG 3, the press button knife company manufactured knives from 1882 - 1923. (They are very collectable by the way.) Maybe Cattaraugus paid to use the design, or made the knife for Walden...? Very cool knife. With the semi translucent imitation tortoise shell handles, It looks like you could see the internal parts if you held it to the light. Added bonus.
Bryan
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El Lobo
- Gold Tier
- Posts: 3036
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2004 4:47 pm
- Location: Arizona, right here in the U.S. of A.
cjp617,
I'm going to suggest that you post this question and the pictures to the Schrade forum at..... bladeforums.com.
It is located in the Manufacturers heading at Bladeforums.
There are several very knowledgeable collectors there, including one who goes by the handle of lt632rt....he published a book/cd about Automatic knives in America, and is as knowledgeable about them as anyone I've ever come in contact with.
Just a suggestion.
Bill
I'm going to suggest that you post this question and the pictures to the Schrade forum at..... bladeforums.com.
It is located in the Manufacturers heading at Bladeforums.
There are several very knowledgeable collectors there, including one who goes by the handle of lt632rt....he published a book/cd about Automatic knives in America, and is as knowledgeable about them as anyone I've ever come in contact with.
Just a suggestion.
Bill