13" Latama Blade 1940 or 50? Any info is appreciated

[Aurora4dth]

Hello, i have this blade and i have no idea on year or value. I may be interested in selling it as well. Not quite sure yet. can anyone at all help me and provide any info. I think it belonged to my great uncle.

[Otis the 3rd]

Great Latama!! Collectors will call that one a "skinny ear" for the small guards it has. Made right around 1950 between the flatguard knives and the now traditional round bolsters. The skinny guards with the octagon locktab are seen together a lot.

[Madmarco]

That's a cool ole' Latama, A-4, and looks to be in good shape too.
I can't help with it's value, but it has everything going for it as being a collector's piece so be sure to show it it's due before you sell it, if you're selling it.
Once Bill De sees it, he will likely have more info for you so keep checking this thread.
to AAPK!

[Aurora4dth]

Thank you guys so much, i thought it may be just old junk and almost got rid of it. Glad i didnt. Any info on value is also much appreciated.

[Killgar]

Hello again Aurora.

Different rules on this forum, so I can discuss dollar value with you.

A Latama almost identical to yours (13"/33cm, small ears, picklock, dark horn handles, octagon head lock, same tang stamp, brass pivot pin) recently sold at Lathams vintage knives for $1850. (eighteen hundred and fifty).

Of course, like I told you before, function matters a lot. And in the end, an old Italian switchblade is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it at any given time. But the sale at Latham's gives you a good idea what some people are willing to pay.

Do a Google search for "Lathams Vintage Knives", click on "Italian Automatics" and go to page 3, and you'll see it. It's there as of the moment of this post, but Latham doesn't leave "sold" listings up for long.

Good thing you didn't throw it away .

[Aurora4dth]

Killgar,
WOW. thats unreal. Thank you so much for that. I really had no idea these old knifes could be worth so much. I will def check out the info you sent and if possible may try and sell it there.
I truly appreciate everyones help.

[Madmarco]

Mike Latham also has an AAPK store going under "Latham's Knife Sales", but what he stocks here is much different than in his online store. Now that's a man who you can discuss value with, he's loaded with knife knowledge.

[Bill DeShivs]

Mike Latham is a great guy.
He can give you information. He also might buy the knife!

[RoyS]

It's always grand to see these lovely old treasures come out of the woodwork,

Well done, a cracking find.

Cheerio,
Roy

[jw517]

I would love to clean that up! There’s fire under that grime.

[Rockingkj]

Your great uncle had a great knife!

[Aurora4dth]

This is all so amazing. I really had no idea. You guys are awesome. Thank you.
I think i will sell it soon. Im not going to touch it and just let it stay the way it is and let someone who knows what to do clean i up. I cant say its in the "right " hands if it stays with me. I know others may appreciate it much more.

[Aurora4dth]

I just talked to Walt at Latama, what. great guy.!!

He said i have an S Guard made between 1949 and 1951. It was in between the Flat guard and the Stamped bolstered ones. Def wasnt made very long he said.

[Madmarco]

If memory serves me, A-4, I saw a copy of your knife at www.arizonacustomknives.com yesterday, and it was priced at over US$2,000., so welcome to the machine!
Another source for information and selling is Michael at, www.knifepurveyor.com , but since you've now made contact with Walt and already have all the resources available to you right here, perhaps you need look no further.
It will sell for that much or more eventually, too, TO THE RIGHT BUYER!

[Aurora4dth]

Madmarco, thank you. Yeah i think i would let it go for that easily haha

[Bill DeShivs]

Walt is also a treasure!

[Boji]

I'm not very knowledgable about these vintage Latama but even I knew it was a great find.

[Madmarco]

Madmarco, thank you. Yeah i think i would let it go for that easily haha

Although I have never participated in an online knife auction, or any other kind for that matter, I have a good friend who has and still does, and he tells me that sellers pretty much need to get big bucks for their knives due to all the extras incurred at these auctions.
He says things like an additional 12 - 23% "Online payment privilege" or something like that, which is to help cover the costs of using certain types of payments when paying for the knife if you win, become an issue.

He also cited additional charges by your credit card provider might be added-on in certain cases. There were other things that currently I don't recall, but be certain to fully examine all the aspects before just jumping blindly into something, it may not be what it seems.

Using your knife as an example, let's say they received and accepted a $2,000. bid. With the extras I mentioned, you're automatically looking at -23% using the extreme, less, or $1,540.
Then you may need to pay credit card "Currency Exchange" rates that hover around 2.5% of the total exchanged, so 2.5% of $1,540. or $38.50, leaving you with $1,501.35 when a millisecond ago you had $2,000., and they might not even be finished with their fees yet!

Even the akc.com link I posted earlier that will sell your knife on consignment, will charge you 25% of the selling price for doing all the work, clean-up, pictures, storage space, emailing customers, etc., but they are very professional about it and if you want it done right perhaps 25% is reasonable, something else to consider.

Probably the biggest thing you need to do is to not rush anything, it will all happen in due time!