Some guys have all the luck

[Jackalope]

Too little, too late. Why can't I get this lucky?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/313645559524?m ... 7675.l2557

[rock-n-roll$$$$$$]

OMG!, I never see anything on flea bay, ever.

[JimBrown257]

I'm guessing that oddly specific Buy Now price was Ebay's recommendation. I wonder how they came up with that.

[jerryk25]

wow . . .There are still easter eggs out there hiding in desk drawers.

[whippersnapper]

That back spring is sprung.

[JimBrown257]

That back spring is sprung.

Lol, I think I am going to start calling messed up backsprings "backsprungs". Actually, I don't think the backspring is messed up on that one, I think someone replaced the kickspring incorrectly and it is pushing on the backspring when it is closed.

[whippersnapper]

Yep, something wonky...lol

[niceguy2]

Ha ! i actually saw it and passed when i saw the blade condition,,, short , false edge ground etc. and issue with the back spring. It did look good at first glance but ...... eh

[Jackalope]

Ha ! i actually saw it and passed when i saw the blade condition,,, short , false edge ground etc. and issue with the back spring. It did look good at first glance but ...... eh

For that price you could have flipped it for nearly ten fold.

[jerryk25]

posting images so they don't disappear after auction is extinct.

Backspring is bent. . . . .I think maybe the kickspring is adulterated also.
Still a fantastic knife for the money

[jerryk25]

more

[Tom19176]

I agree someone inserted a replacement spring in behind what was left of the broken spring. I did the same thing as a teen...It worked but had this effect when closed....

[Jackalope]

An easy fix.

[button_man]

.

Is the "1953" stamp really the year? --or maybe just a model number that coincidentally appears to be a year? I suspect probably the former, which makes me wonder how many other pre-ban switchblades people have seen with a year stamped on them....? I have to admit, I've never seen one.

[jerryk25]

Link to a different string on this forum.
viewtopic.php?t=25229

I recall reading about this on a different forum. I may not be remembering this correctly.
It think this info is in the "Switchblade of Italy" book. . .

1953 MAY not the year it was produced.
It MAY have had something to do with Hoffritz's store chain's incorporation date. . . (a memorial date of sorts)
Hoffritz had a partner previously . . . Like "Sears and Roebuck" changed to just "Sears". . .
It may be that Edwin Jay Hoffritz was importing stilettos as early as 1935 to his store, before it became a chain of stores.

But the reason for dropping the name Hoffritz on a product does not make sense at this time (1953).
Edwin Jay Hoffritz didn't want a German sounding name on the knife in 1940-44. . .I think. . (guesses year). . .
Later, the "anti german" sentiment subsided and the name Hoffritz appeared on the knife.
Hoffritz was really big with Swiss Army Knives. . . I guess everyone thought Hoffritz was "Swiss".

Most researchers attribute Sam Polk of Latama as starting the Souvenir Switchblade import trend.
I don't recall if the first year Hoffritz imported a stiletto was figured out., or which came first, Hoffritz or Edwin Jay.
There are Edwin Jay stilettos without the 1953 date.
There are Hoffritz automatic stilettos, there are Hoffritz manual lockbacks, implying post 1958 stiletto sales.

Below is an Edwin Jay . . without the 1953 date. . . .in a Hoffritz bag.
Hoffritz stilettos were higher quality packaged with choice select horn and little purses with the name on it.
I forgot to record the name of the collector to whom this image belongs.

I have a friend who has an 8 inch Latama in a red plastic sleeve with Latama printed on it.
papers, Advertisements, pouches and the like are ephemeral and called "Ephemerila" meaning the die quickly,
like the fairies of story books that only live by the moonlight.
Mayflies are called in Latin "Ephemeroptera"