Rare Vintage PRESS BUTTON KNIFE CO. 1892-1923 "Invincible"  Model 

The Press Button Knife Co was a division of the Walden Knife Company and are among the oldest and most collectible of all the American made switchblades. 

This was the largest model Press Button Made and it measures 4 7/8" closed. A bit too large for the pocket it was used for Hunting, Fishing and Camping. The mirror polished Clip point Blade on this model measures 3 3/4". Front side of the tang reads: PRESS BUTTON KNIFE CO WALDEN N.Y. Back side of the tang is unmarked.

Handles are real Jigged Bone (some books list the handles as synthetic; this is incorrect). Iron Liners and Nickel Silver Bolsters. Blade on this model was originally etched "INVINCIBLE", but it is very rare to find one with the original etching still readable. Measures 8 3/4" open.

The Press Button Knife Co was originally set up as a special division of the Walden Knife Co and was directed by George Schrade who bought an interest in the company and manufactured 9 basic patterns of Press Buttons with three of these being sold by Sears Roebuck in their catalog at the turn of the century.

 Schrade continued to work for the Walden Knife Co until 1903 before breaking off and selling his interest and forming a company with his brothers (Schrade Cutlery Company)..Approx 1911 Walden became a  subsidiary of the Simmons Hardware Co in St Louis with five models  produced and marked Keen Kutter..In 1922 Simmons merged with the Winchester Arms Co and it was decided to close the Walden Knife Co in 1923 which ended the Press Button Knife Co. So in summary, any switchblade marked Press Button Knife Co is a worthy investment due to the early manufacture.

 A mint value of this model would be $1000+.  This piece would be listed as very good condition. Features nice action. Blade has nearly zero play in the open position. Polished Carbon Steel Blade is full but shows pitting, stains, and scratches on both sides. Handles show one crack on frontside, middle pin. Blade tip seats below the steel liners and is perfectly centered.

You will notice that Press Buttons do not feature a safety, that is because this was not invented yet with George Schrade introducing the "safety" feature on Schrade Cut Co marked models. The button is "recessed" like on many current manufactured models.