RARE Vintage L.L. BEAN / Schrade Cut Co American Made Switchblade with "Butter & Molasses" Celluloid Handles

Features "Butter & Molasses" colored celluloid handles with little shrinkage. Single Blade design. Measures 3 3/8" closed. 2 1/2" Carbon Steel Blade shows a patina from age along with dark age spots and is etched L.L. BEAN FREEPORT , ME. Blade seats deep in the handle. Blade has nice lockup with some up/down movement in the open position and is centered when closed.. Safety works fine. Excellent action. Handles show a pin crack on the backside at the bottom. Slight split in the celluloid at the button, but it seems stabilized. Overall good condition.

Tang is marked  "L.L. BEAN FREEPORT, ME". Tang of the Blade is marked "US PATS DEC. 21, 09-SEPT. 13, 10- June 6, 16" Made for L.L. BEAN by Schrade Cut Co. Very unusual and rare to find one of these with the original blade etching. Very desirable early Americana Switchblade.. Includes a custom zippered pouch. We've only had the LL Bean switchblade a few times in the nearly 40 years we've been playing with them. AIK's 2 cents of knife advice= buy it before someone else does and brags about it.