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Re: Looking for help identifying an old lever-lock automatic knife marked HORSTER ROSTFREI.
Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 12:58 pm
by 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

Re: Looking for help identifying an old lever-lock automatic knife marked HORSTER ROSTFREI.
Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 1:49 pm
by 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.
Re: Looking for help identifying an old lever-lock automatic knife marked HORSTER ROSTFREI.
Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 7:57 pm
by 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
Re: Looking for help identifying an old lever-lock automatic knife marked HORSTER ROSTFREI.
Posted: Thu May 21, 2026 8:59 pm
by Bill DeShivs
Anton wrote: ↑Thu May 21, 2026 1:49 pm
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.
Re: Looking for help identifying an old lever-lock automatic knife marked HORSTER ROSTFREI.
Posted: Sat May 30, 2026 7:14 pm
by Bill DeShivs
AND the blade is stainless!
Re: Looking for help identifying an old lever-lock automatic knife marked HORSTER ROSTFREI.
Posted: Sat May 30, 2026 8:23 pm
by 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.
Re: Looking for help identifying an old lever-lock automatic knife marked HORSTER ROSTFREI.
Posted: Sat May 30, 2026 8:27 pm
by bestgear
Anton wrote: ↑Thu May 21, 2026 1:49 pmI 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.
Re: Looking for help identifying an old lever-lock automatic knife marked HORSTER ROSTFREI.
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2026 4:28 am
by CountryBoy77
No dog in this fight eigther, but Mr Bill is 95% nail on the head but i think its an Early 80s knife by blade size as Germany still had full sized blades omin the 70s.So Im saying 80s as ive handled many of these knives as they were comming in new and i really didnt see short blades from the german market comming into the usa till later 80s closer 90s even. A hiker in Germany provly Dropped it and he found it while searching and digging for ww2 stuff .So he assumed it was in an area with ww2 stuff so it Must have belonged to a Time traveling SoldierFrom the future. Dont ask Professionals their opinion and then argue with them about it.
Re: Looking for help identifying an old lever-lock automatic knife marked HORSTER ROSTFREI.
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2026 11:55 am
by OLDE CUTLER
Looks like Anton hasn't been active for more than 2 months. Couldn't find anyone to agree with his "diggings".