History of Out~TheFront Knives
What I have compiled so far:

Pictures to come soon


1881-Rischow-Patent#242,985- Gravity Knife
1881-Kayser-Patent#243,071- Gravity Knife
1882-Fiske-Patent#255,847- Gravity Knife
1883-Lincoln-Patent#286,209- Gravity Knife
1884-Kaldenbach-Patent#292,917- OTF Gravity Knife
1884-Heysinger-Patent#307,767- OTF Gravity Knife-"Novelty"
1884-McGovern-Patent#309,863-Compressed Spring OTF Knife
1885-Rockwell-Patent#317,208- OTF Gravity Knife
1886-Pusey-Patent#338,612- OTF Gravity Knife
1886-Hunt-Patent#407,863- OTF Gravity Knife
1891-Franklin-Patent#456,087-OTF Gravity Knife
1892-von Bultzingslowen-Patent#472,104-Gravity Knife
1892-Billings-Patent#470,77-Gravity Knife
1892-Franklin-Patent#457,306-OTF Gravity Knife
1894-von Bultzingslowen-Patent#515,743-Gravity Knife
1894-Cook-Patent#515,743-Gravity Knife
1896-Gardener-Patent#569,452-OTF Gravity Knife
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1900's
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1910's
1912-Sjoberg-Patent#1,024,749-OTF Gravity
1914-Carlson-Patent#1,120,277-OTF Barrel knife
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1920's
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1930's
Paul Weyersberg & Co. product from Solingen- German Paratrooper's Gravity knife.
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1940's
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1950's
Bonsa made an OTF starting in the early 1950s in Germany.
Italiian Trapdoor Stilletto's are made by ??????
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1960's
French OTF knives with side lever to close
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1970's
Hubertus never made an OTF, but they did sell them. They were made in Italy.
Gimel-Bargerong
Arbalette / G. David in France.
Coltellerie Spadon
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1980's
The Edge Co, that was the first company start to sell swichlades in Usa after they were forbidden,
I'm talking about 1982 to 1984-5,asked to Consorzio Coltellinai to reproduce a front opener here in Italy.
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1990's
Ralph D. Harris
Microtech began in 1994
Robbie Dalton
James Bro./Desert Knife Works
S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons Advanced Technology)
Butch Vallotton
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2000's
Jeff Harkins
M.O.D. (Harkins Triton copy)
Burns
Benchmade
SINZA
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O.K. ...I have more that I still need to put in, and there is a HUGE gap of info for the 50'-80's.
Keep the info coming. Even if you just have a OTF knife and can give me a company name or a date or a picture.
I'll post more as I get it
thanks all
Sinza