CTS Solingen Gold-Tone Mini V-Cut Cigar Cutter, 1950s-60s NOS

Welcome to Pipe Collectors Encyclopedia, your premier destination for museum-quality estate pipes with comprehensive historical and technical documentation. IDENTIFICATION This is a mint-condition, never-used CTS Solingen mini cigar cutter in gold-tone finish, dating to the 1950s-1960s mid-century modern era. CTS (Cutlery and Tobacco Specialties) was a Solingen-based manufacturer of high-end tobacco accessories for export markets. The V-cut blade design represents a functional refinement in portable smoking tool engineering during the post-war boom in tobacco culture. HISTORICAL CONTEXT Solingen's blade-making tradition extends to the 13th century, built on abundant iron ore, water power, and guild-trained craftsmen. By the 19th century, the region was exporting millions of blades worldwide and earned protected legal status for the Solingen name under German law. CTS emerged in the post-World War II era as a specialist manufacturer of portable tobacco accessories, capitalizing on the golden age of mid-century modern design. These cutters were frequently stamped 'Foreign' to denote international distribution, reflecting the robust global tobacco trade of the 1950s-1960s. CTS models appear in period vintage catalogs and auction records, documenting their role in the evolution of portable smoking tools. GRADING & MARKS - Manufacturer stamp: CTS - Origin mark: Solingen Germany - Finish marking: gold-tone plating (original) - Design patent: V-cut blade configuration - Condition grade: New Old Stock (NOS), never used - Original packaging: yes, boxed SHAPE ANALYSIS The cutter follows a compact, pocket-sized form factor typical of 1950s portable tobacco accessories. The V-cut blade geometry provides a clean, double-angled cut suitable for cigar wrappers and tobacco leaves. Overall profile is streamlined and ergonomic, designed for one-handed operation. BRIAR & FINISH This is a metal accessory, not a pipe bowl. Gold-tone plating over steel base metal; finish remains original and unmarred. The blade steel is characteristic of Solingen cutlery tradition, hardened for long-term edge retention and corrosion resistance. CONDITION REPORT NNew Old Stock condition: absolutely pristine, never used, original factory finish intact. Blade edges are sharp and unblunted. No wear, patina, or handling marks visible. Original box present and intact. This represents an exceptional preservation example of a mid-century tobacco accessory. DIMENSIONS - Overall length: to be confirmed - Blade length: to be confirmed - Width when closed: to be confirmed - Weight: to be confirmed - Classification: portable mini cigar cutter CLOSING This NOS CTS Solingen cutter ships from the Faridunhill archive with worldwide delivery. Professional cleaning and documentation included. SKU: SKU-311