STAINLESS STEEL 22cm Japanese vintage Swing Guard Rizzuto style automatic knife

Vintage Stainless steel Rizzuto style Japanese swing guard automatic knife. These knives were used in dozens of movies from the 1960s through the 90s and are therefore very popular with switchblade & movie enthusiasts. This is the most common size 9 inch and the most common color, black. These knives were actually made in Japan in the 1960s and 70s mostly and were inspired by Italian switchblades of the era. They were very affordable which is probably why they were often used by movie prop departments. 

The knife measures 21.7cm (8 9/16 inches) open and 4.75 inches closed with steel liners, bolsters & guards and brassr button, safety cap & pins. The bayonet blade is 100% full with original finish and the ricasso is stamped  STAINLESS STEEL. The black synthetic scales are in very good condition with some light scratches and held on with brass pins. The knife works well with the blade tip sitting below the liners closed, good snap and tight lockup. The safety works. Nice example of a vintage "Italian style" movie prop switchblade from the 1970s. EX+ condition.