Latama Age

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Pachinko799
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Latama Age

Post by Pachinko799 »

Picked up a 13” Latama in rough shape today. Can anyone date the age of the knife based on the stamp? Any help appreciated.
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rock-n-roll$$$$$$
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Re: Latama Age

Post by rock-n-roll$$$$$$ »

I am going to say,1950 to 1951, it has both the front Latama stamp, and the rear patent stamp # 35958, and a brass bolster pin, can we please see the whole knife.
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Pachinko799
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Re: Latama Age

Post by Pachinko799 »

Just picked it up today from a chance conversation with a local guy. I have only been collecting picklocks this year. It’s in rough shape but I like it. Bugs attacked the rear scale but front is okay for age. Everything works perfect. Thanks for dating it.
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rock-n-roll$$$$$$
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Re: Latama Age

Post by rock-n-roll$$$$$$ »

nice!, I like it just the way it is.
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jerryk25
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Re: Latama Age

Post by jerryk25 »

I thought this was covered in one of the "Switchblades of Italy" . . or "Art of the Switchblade" books.
I was pretty sure someone had worked out " probability " of which ones were oldest.
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Pachinko799
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Re: Latama Age

Post by Pachinko799 »

I don’t have those books unfortunately. Is 1950 or ‘51 an accurate dating for this stamp? Also, should I leave the knife as is or have it cleaned up? The handles are in bad shape and rear scale was attacked by bugs. Blade was sharpened but price was right. Who could do the work to clean it up and preserve or is it better to restore? Any advice appreciated.
TazmanTom
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Re: Latama Age

Post by TazmanTom »

Bills The best , but busy.
TazmanTom
Posts: 403
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Re: Latama Age

Post by TazmanTom »

Same knife under "blade pictures", good conversation there.
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thom
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Re: Latama Age

Post by thom »

I say restore knowing the condition of the rear scale.
Thom
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Pachinko799
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Re: Latama Age

Post by Pachinko799 »

Thanks, Folks
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JulesVane
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Re: Latama Age

Post by JulesVane »

Pachinko799 wrote: Sun Aug 15, 2021 1:06 pm I don’t have those books unfortunately. Is 1950 or ‘51 an accurate dating for this stamp? Also, should I leave the knife as is or have it cleaned up? The handles are in bad shape and rear scale was attacked by bugs. Blade was sharpened but price was right. Who could do the work to clean it up and preserve or is it better to restore? Any advice appreciated.
It is my understanding that Latama only imported the kris blade model for one year, and I too believe I read that the patent was 1950.
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Pachinko799
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Re: Latama Age

Post by Pachinko799 »

I feel like I won a lottery or something even though condition is rough. One year, interesting.
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