Press Button Knife Co One Arm Man antique switchblade knife Civil War ETCHED

Antique Press Button Knife Co One Arm Man antique switchblade knife made by the Press Button Knife Co of Walden, NY sometime between 1892 and 1923. Most, if not all, were made under contract for the AA Marks Artificial Limbs & Specialties Co of New York, as well as a few other switchblade models that they contracted to have made by PBKC. These knives are often referred to as Civil War Veterans knives, though it's not likely that many Civil War vets actually used them since they weren't made before 1892. These knives are most often referred to as a "One Arm Man" knife and were designed to help people with disabilities, specifically lost, or damaged arm or hand to be used as both a cutting and eating utensil that could be opened and closed easily with one hand. 

The knife measures just under 5 inches closed and approximately 9 inches open and it has pressed aluminum scales and steel liners with nickel silver bolsters & button. The 3 tined fork blade on this knife is 98% full or better with patina and scattered light spotting and the tang is marked PRESS BUTTON KNIFE CO WALDEN NY on the front tang and backside stamped US PAT 470,605. Amazingly you can still read ALL of the original fragile acid etch:  AA Marks Artificial Limbs & Specialties Co of New York on the face of the blade. The pressed aluminum scales have a nice pattern on them and are in good condition with no dents, but some gaps and a little battered on the edges in places, overall very good for such fragile 100+ year old aluminum scales. The backside bolster is loose. The knife works well with the fork tines completely inside the liners closed, opens fully and locks open with about 1/8" movement at the tip. Does rattle if shaken with blade open as most of these knives do. VG condition.