Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

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Frenchi94
Posts: 53
Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2022 5:58 pm

Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by Frenchi94 »

hello to all I hope I am posting this in the right place on the forum because it is the first time that I write on a forum. I found an old Maltese cross bolster picklock with a rounded tip (lens?). I saw him in a photo on the cover of the book "COLTELLO A SCATTO ANTICO
ITALIANO
SWITCHBLADE" by Mr. Paolo ALDIGHIERI. I contacted the knife museum of Maniago in Italy they told me that this tang stamp in the shape of a ship's anchor would have been manufactured by the company "Luigi BELTRAME & sons (Figli)" in the late 1800s or very early 1900's. If any of you have any additional information about my knife can you let me know? I put pictures below. Thank you in advance. Cordially
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rock-n-roll$$$$$$
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Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by rock-n-roll$$$$$$ »

friend, you have a very rear old switchblade, may I ask what is on the tip of the blade?.
gravknife
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Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by gravknife »

Frenchi94

What a beautiful knife , 8)

Great find and the overall condition is really good for a 120 year old plus knife.Im sure the tip could be sorted out but needs to be done professionally,and carefully .

You have picked the right place to post it now and the more experienced members will give you advice and info about it.

I do know it is a valuable and highly sought after knife ,really good of you to share it with us ...they dont show up often ,think I have seen 2 here but cant locate them on the search.

Welcime to talkblade
Ian
Frenchi94
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Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by Frenchi94 »

Thank you for your answer :) On the tip of the blade it is a lens (rounded tip) because according to my research and a collector that I know, at a certain time this type of knife was prohibited for sale in Italy, so there rounded tip allowed to circumvent the law for sale and possession. Yes I thought of sharpening the blade properly at the backstand, being careful not to heat the tip with water for the thermal treatment, I can do it but I'm not going to do it because it's a part of its history and this adds rarity to the knife. I think people made them sharp at the time after buying it. Yes I think I'm in the best place for the exchange of knowledge it's perfect! Thanks again. Friendly
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Frenchi94
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Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2022 5:58 pm

Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by Frenchi94 »

This book
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Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by john »

Hello Frenchi94,
Your 120 year old knife if spectacular. Do not modify it in any way. However, I would give it a gentle cleaning and polishing.
Thank you posting photos of you very rare knife.
John
PS what other gems do you have in your collection?
Last edited by john on Wed Dec 07, 2022 2:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Frenchi94
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Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by Frenchi94 »

Hi John! Yes it's a nice collector's item, it's the first time I've seen one like that. I'm not going to polish it, I leave it with its patina. I have a few other automatics, I'll put pictures of the ones I have left, I sold a lot of them without taking a picture of them, too bad..
@frenchXcollection
Frenchi94
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Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2022 5:58 pm

Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by Frenchi94 »

For the moment I have left in my switchblade collection: 2 stiletto button open/button close Wasp Body Derby bolster (not on for derby bolster) - 1 G.David automatic laguiole and 2 Bargeon one with nickel silver bolster and the inscription France another Bargeon all metal with a very rare round button, 1 AGA Campolin Mini Dominus Buffalo Horn and a Makinox in deer antler. which is a little rare, it is the oldest. Thank you for sharing :D
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rithvich
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Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by rithvich »

Beautiful old knife Frenchi!

The stamp is not very well struck so I'm not sure how much info you will find on it. The date from the Maniago Museum is correct. The checkered handles, blunt tip, unique locktab, square safety, and of course the rare maltese bolsters make this a real gem. Congrats!!
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Panzerfaust
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Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by Panzerfaust »

Wow! That is a Holy Grail knife.
Frenchi94
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Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by Frenchi94 »

Hello yes it is a beautiful knife I am rather happy to have found it :p . The stamp is partly erased, it's true, but you can really see that it's an anchor and the Maniago museum told me that it's the stamp of the company Luigi Beltrame & Figlio. Maybe Frank Beltrame's ancestors and it's close. Thank you for your messages!
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Bill DeShivs
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Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by Bill DeShivs »

I'm quite sure you will be getting offers on this knife. There are dealers who watch these posts just to find rare knives. Usually, they won't offer the full value. Be very careful.
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Frenchi94
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Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by Frenchi94 »

Hello Bill, yes I receive offers, the highest was $1500 but I think it's still below because 1500 is the price of an old classic Latama and they are less rare than mine. I'll be careful but it's hard to know its true value. Thank you for your kindness towards me I appreciate it very much. I'll take my time if I sell it. Thanks again. friendly
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gravknife
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Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by gravknife »

Frenchi94

Love the French autos you posted aswell . 8)

Particularly like the GDavid laguiole ,always eluded me when i frequented French ebay looking for French pieces ,as did the bargeons you posted ,but I managed to get a few types through the British border.

You will probably regret selling the Maltese knife ,so as you say take your time and look about for a while at previous sold prices ,books etc or ask members here who have commented on the knife ,they have alwsys helped me since I first joined .

Great knives.

gravknife
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Killgar
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Re: Rare picklock vintage de 28 cm avec croix maltaise (je l'ai vu sur la couverture de M. Paolo ALDIGHI

Post by Killgar »

Hey Frenchi. Nice collection of knives, thanks for sharing.

I often find the story of how a person acquired an old switchblade to be just as interesting, if not more interesting than the knife itself. If you'd be willing to share, I for one would be interested to hear how you came by the Maltese cross-guard stiletto. But if you'd rather not say that's ok too, I won't take offense :) .
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