Looking for help identifying an old lever-lock automatic knife marked HORSTER ROSTFREI.

[ThatWeirdKnifeGuy]

I know nothing of this type of knife. I just wanted to say this.

Go bury any one of your knives, preferably with wood brass and carbon steel, but any will do, for even one night, in your back yard.

There are knives posted here that have been "dug up". They all look like they lived in the dirt for a while.

My slipjoints get one grain of sand in it from looking at a beach from 100 yards away and the action gets all gritty and grumpy. I can't imagine what an 80 year dirt bath would do to an auto

[Anton]

Thanks everyone, I did some digging and it's true that the knife is from the late fifties or sixties, in the seventies there are similar ones made of the same materials, but the design and blade are slightly different.

[hogwild69]

After following Mr Bill for 25yrs online I have found he is in fact an encyclopedia of automatic Italian knives. His words are solid. Greg

[Bill DeShivs]

Thanks everyone, I did some digging and it's true that the knife is from the late fifties or sixties, in the seventies there are similar ones made of the same materials, but the design and blade are slightly different.

I can assure you that your knife was not made in the late 1950s or 1960s.

Some people only believe what they want to believe.

The safety button is obviously modern-stamped from one piece of metal. Older safety caps were round and soldered to the safety. The safety slot in the handle is longer than old knives to accommodate this style safety.

I have worked on literally thousands of Italian stilettos from very early ones to present day models. I bought new stilettos in the mid 1970s. I'm pretty darned familiar with their construction.

[Bill DeShivs]

AND the blade is stainless!

[Gtrclktr-351]

Anton, I am relatively new here myself but have been around long enough to recognize those who are knowledgeable. If Mr. DeShivs identifies an automatic knife, believe him. He is one of the most knowledgeable here, especially when it comes to switchblades.

[bestgear]

I did some digging

I have no dog in the fight but could you be more specific about your research (digging) and what has led you to your conclusions; i.e., images, books, websites, etc.