Unusual Elosi
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Unusual Elosi
Here is an odd duck that's not commonly seen. This German-made automatic knife is marked "Elosi" which was a brand of "Ernst Lohr Sohne KG" founded in 1922. The model shown had a patent applied for in 1954 and was registered in 1957. A patent picture is included below the knife. While this was not a high quality switchblade, it was quite unusual in design. The two short levers sticking out beyond the back of the handle are squeezed together to fire the blade. It basically works as a back lock type of mechanism which is shown in detail on the patent drawing. Aside from the unusual firing type mechanism, there are no leaf springs and coil springs operate the levers and fire the blade. The handles are shell wrap types, and the bolsters are stamped metal. A very unique knife, and this is the larger (8 inches overall) of two models that I am aware of. I assume these were short lived since the patent registration was 1957, and the U.S. switchblade ban occurred in 1958 which had devastating effects on the majority of switchblade knives.
- Attachments
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- Elosi Large 1 sml.jpg (284.38 KiB) Viewed 2662 times
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- ElosiPatent (861x1200).jpg (180.27 KiB) Viewed 2662 times
- whippersnapper
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Re: Unusual Elosi
Great knife!
Re: Unusual Elosi
Nice to see the odd duck in such nice condition.
Re: Unusual Elosi
Quaero, thank you for posting the photo and patent of that rare and unique model. You continue to contribute to my switchblade education.
Jim
Jim
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Re: Unusual Elosi
Thanks for posting all these rare, never seen before knives.
Re: Unusual Elosi
Quaero, thanks for posting the pictures and information about this rare and interesting knife !! A style I have never seen before !! Amazing !!
Wayne
Wayne
Re: Unusual Elosi
What everyone said above.
Thanks for posting this rare knife.
Thanks for posting this rare knife.
Your friend on the web's most friendly community on knives and blades,
John
Massachusetts Where Everything is Illegal or Taxed
John
Massachusetts Where Everything is Illegal or Taxed
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Re: Unusual Elosi
Fascinating to see such weirdness..... I wonder what the thought process was behind the concept:
"Hey, I have a great idea! Let's invent a one-hand knife* that requires two hands to open!" LOL
(Literally "Einhandmesser" in Deutsch)
"Hey, I have a great idea! Let's invent a one-hand knife* that requires two hands to open!" LOL
(Literally "Einhandmesser" in Deutsch)
Re: Unusual Elosi
Yeah, that was a wait, what? Moment for me too.button_man wrote: ↑Tue Dec 29, 2020 3:23 pm Fascinating to see such weirdness..... I wonder what the thought process was behind the concept:
"Hey, I have a great idea! Let's invent a one-hand knife* that requires two hands to open!" LOL
(Literally "Einhandmesser" in Deutsch)
Great looking knife!
Re: Unusual Elosi
Rare and unusual for sure. The real positive on the mechanism... keeps the blade from peeking.
Re: Unusual Elosi
Thanks for the nice comments and we certainly all learn from each other.
Here is a picture showing the two Elosi models that exist. The smaller one in the picture better reflects the patent drawing.
Also shown is a close up of the shell wrap handle on the smaller model. It shows a neat street scene of Calle Real Bogota Colombia. (South America)
While many switchblades were imported to South America in the 1950s, this model could also have been intended for the United States market with its "exotic" tourist theme. The red ink numbering on the smaller model are markings of a salesman sample knife. Note that the cars depicted appear to be from the late 1940s.
Here is a picture showing the two Elosi models that exist. The smaller one in the picture better reflects the patent drawing.
Also shown is a close up of the shell wrap handle on the smaller model. It shows a neat street scene of Calle Real Bogota Colombia. (South America)
While many switchblades were imported to South America in the 1950s, this model could also have been intended for the United States market with its "exotic" tourist theme. The red ink numbering on the smaller model are markings of a salesman sample knife. Note that the cars depicted appear to be from the late 1940s.
- Attachments
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- Elosi Pair sml.jpg (234.8 KiB) Viewed 2463 times
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- Elosi front handle.jpg (62.82 KiB) Viewed 2463 times