The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $6050 delivered within the contiguous United States. 
 
The 1917 AJ Morse catalog features three different knives, with one virtually unknown to collectors today – the "spring lock" mechanism knife. This intriguing design, arguably one of the rarest American diving knives ever made, was advertised for its ease of use: "much more easily withdrawn from the sheath than the screw pattern." So, why are these knives practically unknown to collectors? The answer likely lies in one of two possibilities:
 
First was possibly the cost factor. Integrating the mechanical locking feature into the handle might have made them too expensive for widespread adoption.
 
Second was the Navy's possible rejection of the design. Perhaps the US Navy, a key customer for diving equipment, didn't approve of the design, leading to its limited use by commercial divers.
 
While the reasons behind its rarity remain shrouded in mystery, a few of these exceptional knives have fortunately survived. This particular one is in outstanding condition!
 
The knife functions by pushing a trigger located on one edge of the flat brass handle. This trigger or push button then disengages a hook, allowing the knife to be removed from a flat brass sheath. The handle has two flathead screws that are part of the spring-loaded trigger mechanism. The design is simple, effective, and much quicker than threading the knife into a sheath. This efficiency may have also led divers to mistakenly think the blade was locked into the sheath, resulting in blades falling out and getting lost. 
 
As shown in the photos, this example is in very near mint condition with an exceptionally clean blade.. The trigger mechanism works correctly. There are no stamps or manufacturer names on the knife or sheath. The presence of a similar example in the 1917 AJ Morse catalog is the only indication of who made this special design. Overall, the knife weighs 3 pounds and 15 ounces. It has a unique visual appearance that sets it apart from all other American knives of the period. This knife would undoubtedly be the key centerpiece of any collection.
 
The price includes a 4% credit card fee. If you pay by check, money order, or bank wire, the discounted price is $6050 delivered within the contiguous United States.