Press Button Knife Co One Arm Man knife

These are usually referred to as "One Arm Man" knives and were designed to help people with disabilities, specifically lost, or damaged arm or hand. It was designed to be used as both a cutting and eating utensil that could be opened and closed easily with one hand. This knife was made by the Press Button Knife Co of Walden, NY sometime between 1900 and 1923 and 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 purchased. Most, if not all of these originally had an acid etch on the blade advertising the AA Marks company, but the etches were fragile and easily worn off with use.

Although the etch is long gone, the blade on this knife is nearly full, including the fork tines which are usually worn, or broken when you find these knives. The blade has some very light peppering and the patina you'd expect to see on a 100+ year old carbon steel blade. The knife measures just under 5 inches closed and approx 8 3/4 inches open and it has pressed aluminum scales and steel liners. Aluminum was a rarer and more expensive material when this knife was made, but unfortunately not very durable so most of these that saw much use have damaged, or corroded scales. The scales on this one are actually very nice, but do show some smoothing/wear from being in pocket. No dents, but there is a little area of light corrosion on the back scale near the nickel silver bolster that should not get any worse. Doesn't take anything away from this Amazing old switchblade. 

The knife works just as it was designed with the blade seating deep in the well when closed, strong snap and good lockup when open with very little movement. These old switchblades are definite "eye catchers" and great conversation pieces and often become the focus of many collections. If you're looking for an unusual and very cool antique American switchblade for your collection, this knife is IT.