Polished horn scales; double locking design. Nickel silver hardware, leather sheath.
A rather unique and beautiful example of early folding knife design, from the Thiers region of France, famous for their cutlery artisans. This example, with split-ring lanyard ring and leather/nickel silver sheath, holds a secret- unsheathed, it offers the user a convenient, trailing-edge utility blade with mild false edge in the last third. But by pressing an inlaid monogram plate in the handle, the knife unlocks and folds out to become a formidable, mirror polishing dagger with a 9" blade.� Pulling up on the split-ring acts as the lock back release when presenting at full dagger. Closed, the knife's second lock assured that it as firm and secure in its compacted form as a normal fixed blade, and will not slip during tasks. Bladed is marked a the ricasso�VAI THIER, M. ALPHINE, and is stamped with an enigmatic makers mark of a cockerel.�

Artist: M. Alphine
Issued: Early 20th c.
Dimensions: 9.75"L closed, 12.75"L open
Country of Origin: France

Condition: Age and use related wear, small expansion splits to two corners of scales around rivets