Any idea what this old European knife is?

[GaiusJulius]

I picked this up from an old cattle man in Amarillo, TX, who said he picked it up himself at a local estate sale at some point. I was there for business, but we got to talking knives and guns, and when he opened his desk drawer and showed me this knife and asked me offhand what it might be worth, I couldn’t resist giving him a few bucks for it. I presume it’s French, Spanish, or Italian, but honestly have no idea and neither did he. It’s been well used for a long time though. How a European peasant knife ended up in West Texas is quite beyond me but I thought it was pretty neat.

Anybody recognize the pattern? There’s also a stamping on the blade I can’t quite make out. “Patis” or “Paris” I think. Could be dated 190-something?

 

[afishhunter]

Looks like a Okapi to me. By the way; A split ring goes in the tab to make it easier to unlock the blade.
Hard to say how old it is. The ones made sometime later tomorrow look the same as the ones made pre-WW1.

 

[kamagong]

It’s a French ring knife. There are still some made currently. Look up Mongin Yatagan.

 

[waynorth]

It’s a French ring knife. There are still some made currently. Look up Mongin Yatagan.

Great Resource, Christian!! Cool old knife G GaiusJulius !!

 

[GaiusJulius]

Thanks gents. Looks pretty much a dead ringer to me!

 

[AgentSteel]

Definitely reads "Paris" on the blade. In french this style of knife is often called the "cra cra" knife (the typical noise when opening and closing the blade).
Apparently a lot of knives of this style were issued to the french soldiers in WWI.

 

[Jolipapa]

It is an old French pattern, made in Nogent or Thiers. As said by kamagong there should be a ring in in the hole to allow unlock the blade.
Was either made for a parisian shop - I don't recognize the symbols - Paris 1900 refers to the Exposition Universelle of 1900, ( 1900 Paris Exposition), where the maker may have won a prize (could be Prix ? over Paris) or a souvenir.
This pattern was very popular, as stated by A AgentSteel it equiped French Infantry at the beginning of WWI (but soon replaced by kitchen knives more efficient in the trenches!).

Maybe not that old, but old timer nevertheless. Would have a lot to tell if could speak!

 

[AgentSteel]

I just saw that the french knife shop "Coutellerie Nontronnaise", offers a modern reproduction of this knife style, look for the "Lock knife, 1914-1918 model".
Now I want one

 

[Jolipapa]

Smell of the 60s... You'd find such cardboards in village groceries/newspaper/bistro/tobacco shops (all in one place) . Unexpensive cracras for children.

 

[Jack Black]

Smell of the 60s... You'd find such cardboards in village groceries/newspaper/bistro/tobacco shops (all in one place) . Unexpensive cracras for children.
View attachment 1548326

Fascinating