Lion Navaja

Mel H · 29th December 2018, 04:14 PM

Fernando, thank you for pointing me in the right direction, I've now done a little searching. It seems that Au Lion did have a moment of fame, they contracted to produce the first U.S. mod 1918 trench knives ( now much sought after ), there doesn't seem to be a lot of information on the maker.

MacCathain · 29th December 2018, 05:05 PM

Au Lion is the trademark of R. V. Cruege of Bordeaux (Gironde), per The Who's Who of French Arms from 1350 to 1970 by Jean-Jacques Buigné.

Mel H · 29th December 2018, 06:57 PM

Thank you.

Chris Evans · 30th December 2018, 01:30 AM

Hi Folks,

Great detective work and Happy new Year everybody!

Cheers
Chris

kronckew · 30th December 2018, 09:43 AM

I'd stick a ~1 in. solid or split key ring thru the hole to help raising the lock, like mine:

Mel H · 30th December 2018, 01:02 PM

I like these knives, I have some other larger old ones. I've got a some split spring rings in my toolbox but they're brand new and don't look quite right, I'll keep an eye open for one with some age and patina.

Here's one of my older Navajas.

Chris Evans · 31st December 2018, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel H

I like these knives, I have some other larger old ones. I've got a some split spring rings in my toolbox but they're brand new and don't look quite right, I'll keep an eye open for one with some age and patina.

Here's one of my older Navajas.

Now. that's a really nice and colectable piece - Congratulations!

Cheers
Chris

Rick · 31st December 2018, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel H

I've got a some split spring rings in my toolbox but they're brand new and don't look quite right, I'll keep an eye open for one with some age and patina.

Patina can be achieved on steel by a day or two soak in a thick paste made with instant coffee.

fernando · 31st December 2018, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

... I'd stick a ~1 in. solid or split key ring thru the hole to help raising the lock, like mine:...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel H

... I've got a some split spring rings in my toolbox but they're brand new and don't look quite right ...

Some detail Wayne doesn't seem to mind of, though !

kronckew · 31st December 2018, 01:41 PM

Mine have the rings they came with, the Okapi and Kudo ones are recent tho. The others are older, the small one is quite old. The other is one made in Germany before they licensed them to South Africa to become the Okapi.

30th December 2018, 09:43 AM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	I'd stick a ~1 in. solid or split key ring thru the hole to help raising the lock, like mine: Attached Images

30th December 2018, 01:02 PM	#6
Mel H Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: North East England. Posts: 107	I like these knives, I have some other larger old ones. I've got a some split spring rings in my toolbox but they're brand new and don't look quite right, I'll keep an eye open for one with some age and patina. Here's one of my older Navajas. Attached Images Last edited by Mel H; 30th December 2018 at 02:02 PM.

29th December 2018, 04:14 PM	#1
Mel H Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: North East England. Posts: 107	Fernando, thank you for pointing me in the right direction, I've now done a little searching. It seems that Au Lion did have a moment of fame, they contracted to produce the first U.S. mod 1918 trench knives ( now much sought after ), there doesn't seem to be a lot of information on the maker.

29th December 2018, 05:05 PM	#2
MacCathain Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 68	Au Lion is the trademark of R. V. Cruege of Bordeaux (Gironde), per The Who's Who of French Arms from 1350 to 1970 by Jean-Jacques Buigné.

29th December 2018, 06:57 PM	#3
Mel H Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: North East England. Posts: 107	Thank you.

30th December 2018, 01:30 AM	#4
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Hi Folks, Great detective work and Happy new Year everybody! Cheers Chris

31st December 2018, 01:41 PM	#10
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,224	Mine have the rings they came with, the Okapi and Kudo ones are recent tho. The others are older, the small one is quite old. The other is one made in Germany before they licensed them to South Africa to become the Okapi.