S.M.Z. picklock

[button_man]

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First vintage spring-knife of the season! Just picked up this S.M.Z. picklock at the flea for five bucks. It needs work…. the spring is gone, and
possibly the sear mechanism is defunct as well. Bail for keychain is missing. The backspring is bizarrely warped. (Odd patent number: 31.9502 )

The blade puzzles me – it’s way too short (sharpened edge is 2”) for the handle, and it may have had the point broken off and then been re-shaped.
OAL right now is exactly 6 inches. Even if the blade was as long as I think it should be, it still would be under the German limit, so I don’t think
it was made ‘too short’ for legal reasons.

As always, any insights from the group will be much appreciated!
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[Bill DeShivs]

It's Japanese, and the blade has been reshaped.
The backsprings were weak on these and were easily bent.

[Panzerfaust]

I have a 9 inch one with that stamp, patent number and bayonet blade. It's probably a late-1950s production.

[button_man]

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Thanks guys..... of course, I was hoping that it was something better, but the bail feature was a strong hint that it was Japanese.
Other than the micro-switchblades with a tiny 1" blade (or less), has anyone ever seen an Italian piece with a bail on the rear bolster?

I'm surprised that the backspring is so weak that it would bow out of shape like that!
I wonder what was done to the knife to make it happen...???

I guess this knife gets thrown in the box of junkers......
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[Bill DeShivs]

Misshapen either by yanking it up, or bending the kickspring which forced it up. It then had to be bent back down to lock the blade. It's a good parts knife.