RARE 1884 Novelty P.N. MFG. CO. Gravity Knife I.W. Heysinger

Very RARE Novelty P.N. MFG & CO 1884 patent date knife with stamped gutta percha handles. I made a YouTube video featuring this knife.  The knife measures 3 1/2” closed. When the button is depressed, the blade will “fall out” when tilted down. Wonderful patina on the brass. Blade is tang stamped NOVELTY NOV 11, 84. Handles are in wonderful condition as seen in the photos. When the button is depressed, the blade will fall out as designed. When tilted downward, approximately 3/4” inch of the blade will fall out when the button is not depressed. A fine example of this rare knife.

A bit of history on the inventor: Captain I.W. Heysinger was a Civil War Captain in The 19th Cavalry of Pennsylvania. Captain Heysinger was in the Antietam and the Maryland and Virginia campaigns of 1862. After retirement Captain Heysinger developed a special knife, and was issued a Patent on the design in 1884.