H. Richard, the knife you are referring to was probably advertised as 'The Black Beauty'. Those are extremely valuable and much sought after now. Ones in near pristine condition are bringing several hundred dollars.
RBurg mentioned a Case switchblade, those are pulling in $2k plus depending on condition. The '50's era blades are all very collectable, sadly most were either lost, broken or neglected. I guess that's why so few are around now.
Most people don't know that there is a proper way to close a Swithchblade, everyone just pushes the blade closed. That is the worst thing you can do to one. It wears the trip out as it was not ground at a bevel on that side.
The proper way is to close it as if it were a bear trap: release the bolster or pick, then push in the button (this withdraws the trip post) close the blade then release the button.
Don't ever trust the safety on a Stilleto, a little slide that should prevent opening, enough torque will pop the blade open. These knives were meant to be carried in a jacket pocket, not in your front or back pocket.
The Swithchblade hysteria in the late '50's due to 'teen hoodlum' movies like Rebel without a Cause (which I think is a ****** movie anyway) resulted in the outlawing of auto knives. A stupid, knee jerk law if ever there was one.
Just goes to show that Congress and the Government hasn't changed much. Stupid, meaningless laws get attention and get passed. Important things that affect all of us, never get taken care of.
RD

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Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U