This Italian switchblade knife was made in the mid 19th century in the town of Frosolone. The knife took on the town's name. It is the earliest known model of this type. The original pick lock stiletto featured a dagger blade with only a top brass bolster, brass liners and pins, exposed rocker, two piece spring, bovin scales and no safety. This knife is approximately 28 cm.

A reproduction of this knife was made in the spring of 2015 from the photo's provided by the collector that owns the original. Renzo Pascotto master craftsman from Maniago, Italy and with Lucio DiBon, who cut the horn for the knives. They made 16 knives eight in 35 cm and eight in 28 cm. It was a labor intensive project. It was a challenging project for the simple reason that the knife was not given to Renzo only photo's were used to recreate the knife. The prototype was adjusted several times before it worked as it should.

The reproductions were made with dagger and bayonet blades and if I recall 4 (two of each size) were made with a bottom bolster. Most were made with brass bolster a few with nickel silver.


I will be adding photos of the reproduction as it transforms from raw materials to a finished masterpiece.