Extremely Rare  (1940-50's auto) "SAINT JAMES" French Made  Switchblade with Imitation Jigged Bone Handles

Vintage 1940's/1950's era SAINT-JAMES French Made Push Button Automatic Switchblade  Knife. (Saint-James is a commune in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France, it is on the border between Normandy and Brittany).

Unusual Coil Spring activated, side opening model with Solid Brass Bolsters, Push Button, and Bail. Measures 4 1/2" closed. Lockback release, but the blade can also be released by pressing the release button. Action is superb. Lockup is excellent with some slight up and down blade play. Features Hand File Work on the spine and blade. 

3 1/2" Polished Blade with a swedge blade grind. Blade is marked "ST JAMES XX INOX". Tang is hard to read but is marked  "BTE SGDG" “BTE = S.G.D.G.“ which means: BREVETE S.G.D.G. (sans garantie du gouvernement) a long obsolete mark used in France from 1844 which some say absolved the government from any responsibility should the object malfunction, but means "patent without government guarantee".

Black Imitation Jigged bone handles are "dove tailed" under the top bolster (custom fitted so they fit flush under the bolster), something that you often see on custom handmade knives). Measures 8 1/4" overall open. Also interesting is this vintage piece has a skull crusher at the base; (the backspring extends out and creates a very effective pointed tool), which is something that many current companies (notably Microtech and Protech) have utilized into their models. 

This is an extreme rarity from WW2 era; built near the D-Day area of Normandy France. Push Button open; coil activated; side opening piece. Very Good condition. Blade has been cleaned and polished and shows some age wear, brass top bolster shows some slight seperation from the liners, (see pic), but overall a very clean piece for being approx 70-80+ years old.