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A good deal or a flea market bust

I acquired a mother of pearl rostfrei knife at my local flea market for $20.00. It is 3 inches long closed. it has a 2 inch blade, a 1 1/2 inch blade and a 1 1/2 inch nail file. It has mother of pearl scales on both sides. It has a german (?) bird on one of the blades. It is in new condition but no box or papers. I have not been able to find a similar knife on the net. I do understand that the solingen is a town or county in Germany. The attached picture from my Blackberry does not adequately capture the mother of pearl look. Any input on my deal, a boon, a bust, or just OK

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on May 2, 2012 at 17:25

Jay the pictures are good and we might have to get some opinions on that shield, but in my opinion, Mother of Pearl anything for $20.00 is a steal!

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by Robert Burris on May 2, 2012 at 17:36

I agree with Steve, a German knife with Mother of Pearl has to be worth over $20. One of our members might know more about it.

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on May 2, 2012 at 18:03

My best guess based on the tang stamp (winged crown), the knife was made for George Smith's company, Hardin Wholesale of Kenova, W.Va. They were made in the Friedrich Olbertz Factory in Solingen back the 1980s. Quality of the build should be on par with H&R, Boker, Fightin' Rooster, etc of the same time period. $20 is great price, if this is the case.

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2021 CalendarPermalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on May 2, 2012 at 18:06

Looks like a great price, to me, also.

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Permalink Reply by Sue OldsWidow on May 30, 2012 at 16:08

looking like you got a real pearl handle....those are always worth 50$ and up...so sounds like a DEAL

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on May 30, 2012 at 18:53

Thats a great price and a very nice knife!

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Permalink Reply by Smiling-Knife on June 1, 2012 at 11:51

I agree with Tobias in that the winged crown looks like the Olbertz mark.

With the nail attachment, wide German silver (nickel silver) band and the style of the rostfrei stamp, my first impression is an earlier knife perhaps 1930s-50s. If it was made for legal export to America (post 1891) it should have the country of origin on it. Is it stamped Germany anywhere? Typically, a US wholesaler/retailer would have their stamp on it aswell. I'm thinking a German-made knife brought to the US as a personal possession. Just my 2p. Regardless, I think you did very well. It's a great looking knife in excellent condition.