Frank Beltrame (Frank B.) 9" Gold Bayonet Swivel Bolster Stag Stiletto
$229.99
Current stock:
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Frank Beltrame 9" Gold Bayonet Swivel Bolster Stag Stiletto
Frank Beltrame (Frank B.) 9-inch Gold Bayonet Swivel Bolster Stag Stiletto is a highly collectible Italian automatic switchblade handcrafted in Maniago, Italy. This specific iteration features a modern titanium-nitride gold-coated blade, a swivel bolster release system, and genuine deer stag horn handle scales. While the classic stiletto design dates back to the mid-20th century, versions sporting titanium-coated gold blades and standard swivel bolsters are modern production pieces typically manufactured between the early 2000s and the present day.
Physical & Technical Description
The knife utilizes traditional Italian assembly methods (pinned construction with brass liners) combined with modern accents:
- The Blade: Measures roughly 4 inches with a classic asymmetrical "Bayonet" grind. The steel (typically 440C or AISI 420) is coated in a distinct, reflective gold finish. The tang is stamped with the authentic "Frank B. Italy" hallmark.
- The Handle (Scales): Crafted from genuine European stag horn. Because it is a natural material, the texture, thickness, and color (ranging from milky white to deep amber brown) vary wildly from knife to knife, making each individual piece unique.
- Mechanism & Hardware: It fires using a traditional internal leaf spring activated by a silver push-button on the front scale. It features a slide safety next to the button to prevent accidental firing. The internal frame and pins are solid brass.
The Swivel Bolster Release System
Unlike older "picklock" stilettos (where you manually pry up a tab at the back of the knife to close it), this model uses a swivel/bolster lock mechanism. Once the blade fires and locks open tightly, you pivot or tilt the top ear of the metal bolster forward. This action safely lifts the locking tab off the blade tang, allowing you to fold the blade back into the handle.
Approximate Age & Era
While often marketed as "vintage" style because it uses 1950s-era manufacturing architecture, a Frank B. knife with a titanium gold-plated blade is firmly a 21st-century production piece. [Frank Beltrame has been making knives under his own stamp for over 40 years.
- However, the experimental and highly stylized colored blades (like the gold, blue, or rainbow PVD finishes) were introduced to the collector market primarily after 2010 to appeal to modern aesthetic tastes.
- If your knife has a dark, authentic patina or an older "patent" stamp, it may date back to the late 1980s or 1990s, but the vast majority of gold-blade variations date from 2012 to 2025.
Specifications
- Overall Length: ~8.75 to 9.00 inches
- Blade Length: ~3.87 to 4.00 inches
- Blade Steel: AISI 420 or 440C Stainless Steel (Gold Coated)
- Liners/Pins: Brass
- Bolsters: Stainless Steel or Nickel Silver
- Weight: Approximately 3.9 to 4.2 ounces
- Condition is near mint, see all photos
NKCA Grading system
MINT: A factory fresh knife, absolutely original as it came from the manufacturer, not carried or sharpened, a perfect knife.
NEAR MINT: A new knife that has seen sometimes, show some slight carry or shop wear, blades snap perfectly, handles show no cracks.
EXCELLENT: Shows no more than 10% blade wear, handles are sound, no cracks, blades snap good.
VERY GOOD: About 25% blade wear, slight cracks in handles, may have one lazy blade, stamping clearly visible to the naked eye, no blades changed or repaired.
FAIR: 50% blade wear, blades lazy, cracks and chips in handles, handles replaced with same type, blades repaired, stampings faint but readable with a glass.
POOR: Blades very worn, handles bad or missing, blades have been replaced with the same type, reading of the stamp is almost impossible, even with a glass, good mostly only for parts.
