All About Pocket Knives

Hi all, as I explained in a recent post, I inherited a rather eclectic collection of knives (folders, switchblades, and fixed) and guns from my father, who passed away in June 2021 at age 90. He was a Korea War veteran (fighter pilot) and genuinely good man in every way. I am in the process of getting a grip on the collection, and will post photos every couple of days or so of a few knives. Any insight I can get about these knives from the collective knowledge of this community would be greatly appreciated, as I am a newbie in the knife world. If you need better/more detailed photos, or questions about markings, just ask. Here are the first few, the top and bottom of which I think are German, and the middle one unknown.

Glad you are here. I don’t know a lot about switchblades but there are some here that are very knowledgeable about them. I know the Hubertus brand and it’s a great brand of knives. Looks like a nice bunch of old stag knives.
My father fought in Korea also. Not a pilot but a grunt. He got severe frostbite at the Chosin reservoir. From what others told me, he was not the same person when he returned. I bet your dad had some interesting stories too. It’s nice to be able to hold those things that your father once handled. Enjoy the memories.

Good lookin' leverlocks P996. Sorry, I can't identify the middle knife.

Welcome!

Sounds like your father was an interesting chap. Clearly a really knife enthusiast. It must be wonderful to inherit such a collection and go through each knife that he personally collected, a fabulous journey. Enjoy the experienced and thank you for sharing it here.

Cheerio,
Roy

Thanks all for your comments. I have to go back to the middle knife and see if I can find any maker's marks or other identifying details. I think that my father told me that the structure at the top of the middle knife is for extracting shotgun shells. Does that ring true to anyone?

The lower one says "Weidmanns heil" on the blade.

It is indeed very satisfying to curate my father's collection. I was with him when he procured/traded for some of the knives at knife and/or gun shows. He really loved all mechanical things (switchblades, firearms, clocks, cars, anything with moving parts!). I'll post a few more tomorrow.

prober996 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 11, 2023 2:45 am
I think that my father told me that the structure at the top of the middle knife is for extracting shotgun shells. Does that ring true to anyone?

The commonly used term for that feature is "shell puller". That encompasses most of what I know about auto knives.

Welcome to AAPK.

Shell-pullers are used for exactly what they say, pulling HOT spent shotgun shells from the barrel of a shotgun. They're usually marked "GA. 16 " and "GA. 12" .

Bottom knife is made by Wilhelm Weltersbach. Very nice knife
Middle knife was made by G.O. Massaro in Maniago, Italy.

I can't tell for sure from the picture, but that might just be "Rostfrei" (rust free) stamped on the tang of the middle one. Very nice trio of switches!

Yah, I got that also Herb.

Madmarco, the middle knife is indeed stamped with GL.12.

Thanks all, for the info. Much appreciated.

prober996 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 3:32 am Madmarco, the middle knife is indeed stamped with GL.12.

Thanks all, for the info. Much appreciated.

Isn't "GL" the Italian abbreviation for "Gauge?" That fits what Bill said in his post above, and he's an auto knife expert in my book.