Switchblades During the Third Reich?

[stonemint]

I recently saw the 1931 German movie "M" starring Peter Lorre, and he carried a lever-lock type switchblade. This got me to wondering--was there a trade in German-made switchblades both before and during the war? Did soldiers carry them as part of their personal effects? Any with TR Waffenamts or RZM markings? Any period advertisements for the same?

Just curious....

I know that there were certainly lever locks and lock blades, but I am not aware of any switchblades.

[wolfeknives]

Automatic knives were legal in Germany until just a few years ago. Many manufacturers made them in various styles, but I am not aware of any military issued examples.

[stonemint]

I know that there were certainly lever locks and lock blades, but I am not aware of any switchblades.

This is a lever-lock switchblade made by Boker up until 2000. I have been told that this style was common during the TR, but I have never seen them in any of the maker's catalogs, or being carried as a private purchase by troops in the field:

[heers68]

Check out the pre war Gebr. Grafrath Katolog,many in there! Very common folder in Germany and without the American "biker club" stigmatism. Just a handy one hand needed tool. Kevin.

[Viewfinder]

The Gebr. Grafrath company was purchased by the Hubertus company in 1961. The early pre-war knifes, including the lever lock models originally sold by Grafrath, were now being sold by Hubertus. Here are some fotos of mine. The blade snaps out very fast like a switch-blade with a press of the lever on the top. Note the "W. Germany" included on the blade with the new logo.

Jerry

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[SwordFish]

Here's a wartime example I came accross

[stonemint]

Here is an alleged TR-era Henckels switch I found while researching the issue. They called them "springmessers"

[stonemint]

Check out the pre war Gebr. Grafrath Katolog,many in there! Very common folder in Germany and without the American "biker club" stigmatism. Just a handy one hand needed tool. Kevin.

Does anyone have a copy of the catalog that they can post pics from?