Early To Mid 19th Cent Large French Folding Knife, Probably Chatellearult

French defense Folder much probably manufactured in the city of Chatellerault and dateing  to the early/mid 19th Century.

The first charter of cutlery dates from May 1771 shows the existence of 50 master cutlers which signifies that the cutlery industry existed already since a long time. The manufacture at that time was of swords, large daggers, epees etc. From medieval times to the early 20th century, and particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries Chatellerault was a centre of knife-making. The industry ranged from large well regarded establishments such as Pagé frères to much humbler and smaller scale cottage manufactories. Chatellerault was famous for its Arms factory and the folding cutlery industry. When they were short of work the gunsmith workers used to look for some in the cutlery factories, and it also worked the other way round. This explains the fact that the production of the pieces made in Châtellerault were very much turned to an hunting style.

This knife features a long and sturdy yatagan blade with dagger grind topped with a smooth polished brown horn curved handle with solid steel bolsters

The strong back spring equipped with a tab with a hole that fits the locking pin on the blade tang

Tab and spine nicely hand-file worked

The knife remains in excellent conditions, blade is straight and in full profile with full tip. Opens and closes properly. Some pitting due to time. no damage to note to the horn slabs

This heavy knife is 19,5 cm folded and 35,5cm in fully extended position.