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			 Keris forum moderator 
			
			
			
				
			
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			If you scroll down a bit you will find a little bit more illustrated history on switchblades here: 
		
		
		
			http://www.websters-dictionary-onlin...&sa=Search#906 This guy has an impressive collection of old switches, though he doesn't give dates on them: http://www.autoknife.info/ Below some midish 19th century examples...  
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		#2 | 
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			 Keris forum moderator 
			
			
			
				
			
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			Here is an old Korn patent spring assisted knife, though i believe that it was the cork screw that was spring assisted. These went into production in the USA just after the Civil War.
		 
		
		
		
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		#3 | 
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			 Keris forum moderator 
			
			
			
				
			
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			Here's a spring assisted blade from the 1880s.
		 
		
		
		
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		#4 | 
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			 Keris forum moderator 
			
			
			
				
			
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			Here's a 19th century H. Bunting, Sheffield. Sorry i can't be more specific on the age.   
		
		
		
			 
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		#5 | 
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			 Keris forum moderator 
			
			
			
				
			
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			An here is a Chatellerault switchblade that is talked about as an early example in a couple of the articles i linked to, though i have no specific age on this example.
		 
		
		
		
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		#6 | 
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			Hi David, 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	Fascinating examples. How were they dated? Were they mass produced? Cheers Chris  | 
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		#7 | 
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			Hell David, 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	I completely ignored that facet of your knowledge   ... which compelles me to ask you: are there folding kerises ?   BTW, Chris is right; the examples you posted are rather appealing !  | 
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		#8 | |
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			 Keris forum moderator 
			
			
			
				
			
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			 Quote: 
	
   ) and i don't really no much about these knives i've post. But i do have some serious Google skills.       According to what i have read from my research the Korn Patent knives were the first production auto-knives made in America, but it seems that in Europe they may have been in production as early as 1840.  
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