Hello everyone,
I recently inherited an old Italian automatic stiletto knife and I’m trying to learn more about it. I would really appreciate any help identifying the maker, approximate age, and possible value.
Here are the details I can observe:
marking on the blade: “Made in Italy Inoxid” and a small marking on the back bolster something like ‘ j0’ or ‘10’
Blade length: about 10 cm
Handle length: about 10 cm (around 20 cm total / 8 inch stiletto)
Handle appears to be natural horn, with brown and cream veins
Brass pins in the handle
Picklock mechanism – the release tab is between the bolsters
The button is directly in the handle, with no metal ring around it
The blade has a swedge (false edge) near the tip
The spring is still very strong and it opens with a loud metallic “clack”
Condition:
The knife is generally in good condition and the mechanism works well. The blade shows signs of age and use, including old sharpening marks and a few small chips near the base of the edge, but it is still complete.
One piece of family history that might help:
I know that my grandfather acquired the knife sometime in the late 1940s or early 1950s. He was Spanish, so it may have been purchased in Spain. It is also possible that it was a gift from a tourist, as he worked at the Grand Hotel in Espinho, Portugal during that time.
From what I’ve read, it might be a picklock stiletto from Maniago from the 1950s, but I’m not certain.
I’ve attached some photos. Any information about the maker, age, or value would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
by Desperate-Tomato7537
