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C. JUL. HERBERTZ Extremely Rare FLUSH BUTTON or SHIELD RELEASE    Vintage Italian Made Classic "Trap Door"  Front Opener with Imitation  Horn Perlex

Features Imitation Horn Handles (black perlex with white streaking) with integral chromed bolsters. Traditional looking Italian classic but with a "flush" button or shield rather than a "push" or round button but the blade opens from the front rather than the side. Extremely Rare "Flush Button" model or "shield release".

Opens automatically by pressing on the lower part of the shield. Gravity close= (hold the knife in the upward position), then by pressing on the upper part of the shield. the blade falls back into the handle via "gravity";  then you reset the blade back into the handle by closing the "trap door".

 Mirror polished stainless blade measures 3 3/8" with a false top edge (swedge blade grind).Measures 5" closed. Most of these vintage Italian Trap Door pieces, the blade must be held downward or pointed downward when you open the knife automatically, otherwise the blade will "bounce back" and not lock into position. This model however can be held in any position and the blade will lock open; (very impressive!).

Extremely rare piece in very good-excellent condition. This piece is unique because of the shield. Most of these trap door front openers have a push button like you see on a typical Italian Classic. This model has a flush shield which also eliminates ther need for a sliding safety.

 Auto Mechanism works excellent. You must remember to press the bottom portion of the shield to open and the upper part of the shield to close. (Closure is via gravity). When the blade falls down into the handle, the tip will extend out approx 1/4"; you then flip the Trap Door over the tip of the blade and press down to reset the blade back into the handle. You don't have to flip the trap door to open the blade. The blade comes out with enough force to move the trap door. 1960's vintage. (maybe late 50's) Excellent front opening  action. 

Marked "C. JUL HERBERTZ IMPORT" on the front tang and "PATENT ROSTFREI" on the backside. (Herbertz was / is an import company, they do not manufacture knives). (Herbertz is not the same as Hubertus which is a completely different company that makes lever lock style switchblades).   This is a very RARE PIECE! Includes a custom zippered storage pouch.