Vintage 1840s Spanish Shoe Navaja Pen Knife Genuine Horn Handle Antique

Description

Step back into 19th-century European craftsmanship with this authentic mid-1840s Spanish “Navaja de Zapato” folding pen knife. Originally forged for provincial tradesmen and laborers, this unbranded slipjoint features a distinctive elongated shoe-shaped handle carved from genuine bovine horn. The blade displays a rich, evenly aged patina with minor surface oxidation and pitting consistent with 180+ years of honest use and proper storage.
While exactly eight decorative brass piqué pins are missing along the handle edges, the horn scales remain structurally intact without splits or warping, preserving its classic antique character. A vintage handwritten dealer estate tag (historically priced at $195) is included with your purchase, adding verified provenance to this folk-cutlery artifact.
Perfect for collectors of historic pocketknives, antique tools, and Victorian-era utility items, this piece offers an accessible entry point into Spanish cutlery history without premium museum pricing. Ships carefully packaged and ready for display or collection.

• Authentic mid-19th century (c. 1840s) Spanish Navaja de Zapato silhouette
• Smooth olive-brown to amber bovine horn handle scales with natural grain
• Unmarked high-carbon steel pen-knife blade with heavy age patina and pitting
• Traditional slipjoint mechanism with exposed brass pivot screw (fully functional)
• Decorative brass piqué work detailing along bolster and spine edges
• Compact 6-inch total length when opened; ideal for desk, workshop, or display
• Structurally intact condition with honest wear and exactly 8 missing decorative pins
• Includes original vintage handwritten estate/dealer tag (historically priced at $195)