Age and Value of Bontgen & Sabin Butterfly knife

[sneu]

Hi, I recently came across this knife in an old sewing cabinet. The lady had lived in England for some time and I suspect this is where she acquired this. Since I am not an expert by any means, it took me some time to figure out what this was. It is marked Bontgen & Sabin Patent 1500 on one side of the tang. The other side is stamped P Metz Warrented. I suspect that this was made by BOSA for some retail establishment named P Metz. Given where it likely came from and the English patent number I am quite certain this was originally purchased in England.

The blade was quite blackened and remains somewhat pitted after I cleaned it with some ultrafine wet/dry sandpaper and oil. The rivets are all tight. The scales have no cracks or missing pieces. I think these are ivory. Is this likely?

Measurements are: Blade Length: 2 1/2"
Open Length: 5 3/4"
Closed Length: 3 1/4"

I was going to sell this at auction on Ebay and after posting, I got nasty message from them indicating I should have known that Balisong's are illegal in interstate commerce. I have learned on this site that is not entirely correct. If forum members feel this has some real value, I may list it for sale on this site.

By the way the bluish band of color on the blade in the photos is some glare I wasn't able to get rid of.

Appreciate any info you guys can provide!

[Doc B]

Welcome to AAPK! I'm not able to answer your questions about your knife. Hopefully someone will come along, with some info. To sell, here, you're supposed to have at least a Bronze supporting membership. See subscriptions, upper right. But; the helpful members here will certainly give you free information, independent of your membership status. Your best best for listing (if it's just one knife) might be a Facebook group for knives, that allows sales (there are many).

[Old Folder]

Welcome to aapk sneu
Perhaps the below site may be of help?
https://www.balisongcollector.com/history.html
It mentions your mfg knife.
You have what is referred to as a ' Balisong Knife'
There are many balisong collectors and you will have no problem selling it. It appears that the handle material is either bone or perhaps even ivory?

[RobesonsRme.com]

Such knives by that maker are discussed on page 317 of Levine's Guide, 4th Edition.

He lists such knives with stag handles as circa 1885 and prices them $150.00 wholesale.

He does not mention ivory, which I think those appear to be.

I've never understood the bans on Balisong or butterfly knives. There are thousands of knives that can be opened more rapidly and given the flurry of activity I've seen on TV and in movies, one could easily disable the guy juggling the knife before he could bring it to bare.

Just sayin'

Charlie Noyes

[kootenay joe]

I agree, ivory handles which is not unusual on well made knives up until about 1930's and quite common from 1800's to early 1900's.
Made in Germany, likely late 1800's to start of WW I time.
kj

[buriedtobloom]

Hi would you want to sell me this knife? I’m quite interested. Thanks!

[kootenay joe]

I would buy it too. But as this thread is from July it probably has been sold.
kj