Spanish Folding Sword ?
 

This just finished on our favorite auction site at a high price.........
I've never seen anything like it at 33 inches open length.
What is it and why did it bring a high price ?

Warren in Arizona

Navaja
 

Warren,

Because it is an extremely desirable and very large broad exhibition quality Navaja, a shame I didn't see it, I too would have paid handsomely.

Gav

I thought it was unusual, Here's the link to the completed auction
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
It is impressive !

Warren in Arizona

a lot of these giant folders were used in shop windows of knife stores/manufacturers as an easily recognizable advertisement/shop sign, important in the days when reading was not a universal skill.

It's a Najava, as freebooter said. Distantly related to knives like the Laguiole. I think the seller just threw "SWORD" into the title as a searchterm hook to try to get more exposure. Worked, apparently, most genuine Spanish Najavas seem to bring big money regardless of size.

Certainly a very nice piece, though when I saw it I was looking for something a bit smaller and more suited to everyday use.