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This German Knife From 1880 Is the Mother of All Swiss Army Knives

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This German Knife From 1880 Is the Mother of All Swiss Army Knives

Frequently described as “the Mother of all Swiss Army knives,” this nine inch long, three and a half inch wide and thick device was actually produced by the John S. Holler Company of Germany in the late 1800s. Among the hundred plus tools (yes, you read that right) you’ll find: .22 caliber, five-shot, pinfire revolver, scissors, dagger blades, button hook, two saws, auger, corkscrew, lancet, cigar cutter, tuning fork, straight razor, writing implements and even a mirror. The tortoiseshell handle even opens up to reveal two comparments with even tinier tools. You won’t find a USB thumb drive or a bottle opener, but this knife has you covered in just about any other situation… including a gun fight. This piece of the Smithsonian’s collection is currently on loan to the Cody Firearms Museum until at least the fall of 2015.

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