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Vintage PRESS BUTTON KNIFE CO. 1892-1923 "THE VICTOR"  Swing Guard Switchblade

The Press Button Knife Co was a division of the Walden Knife Company and are among the oldest and most collectible of all the American made switchblades. 

This was the largest model Press Button Made and it measures 4 7/8" closed. A bit too large for the pocket it was used for Hunting, Fishing and Camping. The mirror polished Clip point Blade on this model measures 3 3/4" and has a faint blade etch which reads "THE VICTOR".  (Note that it is extremely rare to find this model, or any early American switchblade for that matter, with the original blade etching). Blade has some staining and pitting on both sides. Front side of the tang reads: "PRESS BUTTON KNIFE CO WALDEN N.Y." Backside of the tang reads :US PAT. 470,605.

Handles are Jigged Bone with Iron Liners and Nickel Silver Bolsters. Pick bone Handles are excellent with no shrinkage or rivet/pin cracks.. Measures 8 3/4" overall Open. Unique Nickel Silver Swing Guard folds down and opens with the blade. 

The Press Button Knife Co was originally set up as a special division of the Walden Knife Co and was directed by George Schrade who bought an interest in the company and manufactured 9 basic patterns of Press Buttons with three of these being sold by Sears Roebuck in their catalog at the turn of the century.

 Schrade continued to work for the Walden Knife Co until 1903 before breaking off and selling his interest and forming a company with his brothers (Schrade Cutlery Company)..Approx 1911 Walden became a  subsidiary of the Simmons Hardware Co in St Louis with five models  produced and marked Keen Kutter..In 1922 Simmons merged with the Winchester Arms Co and it was decided to close the Walden Knife Co in 1923 which ended the Press Button Knife Co. So in summary, any switchblade marked Press Button Knife Co is a worthy investment due to the early manufacture.

 A mint value of this model would be $1500+.  This piece would be listed as very good    overall condition.  The action on this piece is very good . Lockup is excellent. Blade is full and has never been sharpened. Shows visable pitting and is mirror polished. Handles are excellent overall with no rivet cracks. Blade tip seats below the liners and hugs one side of the liners.

You will notice that Press Buttons do not feature a safety, that is because this was not invented yet with George Schrade introducing the "safety" feature on Schrade Cut Co marked models. Includes a custom zippered storage pouch. Overall a superb example of a early American rarity.