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Ultra Rare Vintage Manufrance/ St Etienne French Made Gravity Knife

 Manufrance was the trade name of Manufacture Francaise d’Armes et Cycles de St.Etienne (“French Arms and Cycle Factory of St. Etienne”), a French mail order company which was situated in the manufacturing town of St. Etienne since 1888.
It mainly specialized in shotguns and bicycles, and most of its products were made by third party manufacturers, then labeled and retailed by Manufrance. Extremely hard piece to obtain. 

Measures 5 1/4" closed and features a 4" Mirror Polished Stainless Spear Point Blade marked MANUFRANCE STETIENNE (The "e" on both words is very faint.) This special Gravity pattern was made back in the 50's. maybe even earlier (40's era). It is very difficult to obtain any information on these early pieces, other that they are extremely rare. 

Exceptional Quality piece features Grooved Bone Stag Handles, with a bail at the base and  Solid Brass Bolsters with Brass Liners and a brass lever release. Features superb gravity action and rock-soild lockup. 

To operate a Gravity knife hold the handle, with the blade facing downward and plift the lever forward and the blade is released "via gravity". Release the lever and the blade is locked.  To close simply repeat the step, but hold the knife with the blade upward and lift the lever forward on this model and the blade will fall back into the handle.

Excellent Overall condition. Includes a custom zippered storage pouch. Considering the age of the vintage piece this is an exceptional find. (Ultra rare piece is a 10 out of 10 on AIK's Rarity Scale).