An extremely interesting and possibly unique German steel open frame corkscrew. This example with a fixed hidden spring in the top of the frame and a steel wire band half way down the shank, presumably allowing a downward pressure on the spring to build as the bladed worm penetrated the cork. The resultant lift given by the compressed spring would then ease the removal of the cork. Marked ‘PHOENIX’ on one side of the frame and ‘GESETZLICH GESCHUETZ’ (sic) on the other. The mark GESETZLICH GESCHÜTZT (protected by law) is not always a guarantee that a patent was actually granted and manufacturers often stamped their products with this mark to mislead their competitors into believing they had patent protection. Perfect bladed worm with point. Circa 1940.