Richartz Multi-Tool

[LLRJ17]

I came across this multi-tool recently and am not sure of its design and intended use. I believe it could possibly be from the '40's. The only marking is "Germany" and the small whale logo stamped on the blade.

I posted in the Multi-Tool Forum and learned it was made by Richartz and the roller is a glass cutter (thanks the-accumulator !).

There is an awl that I don't want to force open as it is bent and applies pressure to the scale when trying to open.

Any additional info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance!
Lee

 

[Arathol]

If I had to guess I'd say pre-war, 1930s probably.

 

[afishhunter]

If I had to guess I'd say pre-war, 1930s probably.

Looks like clam shell construction. (in last photo you can see the tab at the bolster folded under, below the bail.)
Another dead give-a-way: No visible center pin for the back spring(s)
When did Imperial-Schrade's patent for that expire? Anyone know? waynorth ? You are somewhat of an expert on Imperial-Schrade, I believe. Do you know when the patent expired allowing a lot of companies other than Colonial to start using that construction method.

 

[Jack Black]

The patent actually comes from Elosi, (Lieber and Stohl if I remember correctly), and is post-war I believe, (but I'm falling asleep here! )

Me and H herder did an article on Richartz/Richards for Knife Magazine a couple of years back

 

[Arathol]

The original patent application was filed by Otto Stiehl and Ernst Lohr in Germany in 1934, and a US patent was granted in 1936.

 

[herder]

Jack is correct that it is a post WWII model.
A catalog illustration is showing that Richartz knife as a model 5914-R from 1953.
By acquiring an inexpensive online subscription to "Knife Magazine" you can read back articles including the one Jack mentioned on "Richards and Richartz" knives.

View attachment 2490949

 

[screened porch]

Jack is correct that it is a post WWII model.
A catalog illustration is showing that Richartz knife as a model 5914-R from 1953.
By acquiring an inexpensive online subscription to "Knife Magazine" you can read back articles including the one Jack mentioned on "Richards and Richartz" knives.

View attachment 2490949

Hey, that's right. I just subscribed and haven't got my first issue yet.

 

[LLRJ17]

Jack is correct that it is a post WWII model.
A catalog illustration is showing that Richartz knife as a model 5914-R from 1953.
By acquiring an inexpensive online subscription to "Knife Magazine" you can read back articles including the one Jack mentioned on "Richards and Richartz" knives.

View attachment 2490949

Awesome...thank you!

 

[Arathol]

The problem here is that the can opener is a pre-war design. Before and during the war there were many different types of can openers. The one piece Imperial safety opener design was introduced in 1944, and by 1953 pretty much every one using it.

 

[LLRJ17]

Hey, that's right. I just subscribed and haven't got my first issue yet.

D'oh, apologies for my initial laugh emoji response! I skimmed and misread it as a subscription to have taken place back around the time the knife was made.

 

[Jack Black]

The patent actually comes from Elosi, (Lieber and Stohl if I remember correctly), and is post-war I believe, (but I'm falling asleep here! )

Me and H herder did an article on Richartz/Richards for Knife Magazine a couple of years back

The original patent application was filed by Otto Stiehl and Ernst Lohr in Germany in 1934, and a US patent was granted in 1936.

Thanks for the correction, ELOSI were Stiehl and Lohr, not Lieber and Stohl! I should have just gone to bed! Apologies for the misinformation

Jack is correct that it is a post WWII model.
A catalog illustration is showing that Richartz knife as a model 5914-R from 1953.
By acquiring an inexpensive online subscription to "Knife Magazine" you can read back articles including the one Jack mentioned on "Richards and Richartz" knives.

View attachment 2490949

Cool cut

The problem here is that the can opener is a pre-war design. Before and during the war there were many different types of can openers. The one piece Imperial safety opener design was introduced in 1944, and by 1953 pretty much every one using it.

Here's another variant can-opener on a post-war RICHARDS knife, which is possibly inspired by the WW2 British Army Clasp Knife design (the knife was also made by Richards, dated 1944)

 

[herder]

The problem here is that the can opener is a pre-war design. Before and during the war there were many different types of can openers. The one piece Imperial safety opener design was introduced in 1944, and by 1953 pretty much every one using it.

What problem?
That can opener type was used by many German cutlery companies including Boker for decades after WWII.
I can find no evidence that the Richartz model 5914-R was produced prior to WWII.
If you have some information that shows otherwise, please post it.