Imperial Auto??

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Jrarbogast
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Joined: Tue Jul 31, 2018 3:50 pm

Imperial Auto??

Post by Jrarbogast »

Got this little beauty in a trade and its rough to read but appears to be a Imperial Auto maybe? Any thoughts? Value? Has cracked scales and it doesn't auto open anymore. Will probably sell as it needs restored.
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whippersnapper
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Re: Imperial Auto??

Post by whippersnapper »

Hi Jrarbogast, your knife appears to be a second generation Colonial Shur-Snap 3 7/16" "Jack" made in the early 50's.
Value in the condition it is in might be about $50. Maybe more...I don't actively collect the antique American switches so I may be off. I will say this model came in a few different handle colors and they don't seem to come up for sale all that often that I notice.

Info is from Mark Erickson book "Antique American Switchblades". http://www.antiqueamericanswitchblades.com/
Jrarbogast
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Re: Imperial Auto??

Post by Jrarbogast »

Thanks for the info. I would love to get it working again if it's possible but if not sell it to someone who wants to restore it.
sammy the blade
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Re: Imperial Auto??

Post by sammy the blade »

You might try muskrat man or Bill Deshivs.
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john
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Re: Imperial Auto??

Post by john »

I’m guessing the repair cost to be between $50/$100.
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Jrarbogast
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Re: Imperial Auto??

Post by Jrarbogast »

I didn't know they made cool springs that small. Be cool to get it working.
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whippersnapper
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Re: Imperial Auto??

Post by whippersnapper »

They take a leaf spring.
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whippersnapper
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Re: Imperial Auto??

Post by whippersnapper »

Jrarbogast wrote:I didn't know they made cool springs that small. Be cool to get it working.
Oops, I read "coil" spring and you said "cool" spring.
Jrarbogast
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Re: Imperial Auto??

Post by Jrarbogast »

Oops... yeah I meant coil but its a leaf spring huh?
sammy the blade
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Re: Imperial Auto??

Post by sammy the blade »

I didn't know they made cool springs, learn something new everyday.
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whippersnapper
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Re: Imperial Auto??

Post by whippersnapper »

Jrarbogast wrote:Oops... yeah I meant coil but its a leaf spring huh?
Yeah, if it doesn't pop open the spring is missing or broke. You should be able to look in the blade well and either see the broken spring or the slot where it should be.
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