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Originally Posted by David
it seems that in Europe they may have been in production as early as 1840.
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I found one reference which suggests that by that time they were already known on both sides of the Atlantic:
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William Beaver
This cutler appeared in a list in a Sheffield directory (1839) as a maker of lock and fly-open knives. The latter were automatic (or switch-blade) knives that were probably intended for the American market.
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-Tweedale's
Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers 1740-2010