"Made in Sheffield" 1830-1930, A golden age ?

willgoy said:
Is that what is called a Stovepipe kick on that Petty?
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Hi there willgoy, not sure..square kicks certainly, quite common on earlier pocket knives...


Here's nice early(ish) late 18th early 19th C small 3 1/4" folder marked 'LOOKER', a London cutler, the knife could have been made in Sheffield. The blade looks unused with its original edge and polish.

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Mick
 
That's a curious beast there Mick. Many pins and a kind of teardrop handle-some nice looking horn I assume? So old too, for you have an enviable knack of finding these remarkable knives in remarkable condition. Is that why you were absent for some time on a hunt for more knife treasure?:D:thumbup:

Would this be a Quill-Knife and the box is original too? Amazing.

Regards, Will
 
To me it looks to be a bud grafting knife with the handle end being flattened as a spud. Knowing the size would be a help in guessing "What am I", but it's still fun to stick one's neck out and venture a guess.
roland
 
Hi Roland & Will..thanks for the replies.

The knife measures 3/14", its handle is rounded at the head end (opposite the blade end) not flattend (it does look a bit like that in the picture).. I think it could be a chunky sort of quill knife..but could be wrong. The box is original to the knife

Those crafty Georgian era cutlers had ideas and tricks, they always seem to produce knives just that little bit special..I have a nifty little knife I'll try and post pics of next week..:D

Mick
 
It is so painful coming to this thread! I'm always afraid someone will catch me with my jaw resting in my lap . . . . . . . . .
 
waynorth said:
It is so painful coming to this thread! I'm always afraid someone will catch me with my jaw resting in my lap . . . . . . . . .
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Hey Charlie...now you know how we feel my friend when you show us your knives :D , the people, and these stunning threads inspire me to no end. Thank you everyone who has contributed to Micks most fantastic thread.
 
^^ That's a super quill knife Charles, very stylish..


Here's the Georgian era pocket knife I mentioned earlier. Marked BROWN (likely George Brown, Coalpit lane)..made late 18th-early 19thC, the knife measures 3 1/2", has a single pocket blade and two ornate fold out fleams. Two inserts, an ear scoop ? /bodkin and tweezers/nail file/scoop ? are under the mark side scale, the pile side insert is missing unfortunately. The inserts are held in situ by hinged covers, they still click open and closed...remarkable ! (not seen their like before). The knife is all original.



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Mick
 
More than remarkable! Interesting stowaway capacity on this knife, such intricacy. Possibly a Valet's knife??
 
Hi Will,

I guess in its day, I guess, the Brown would have been an average quality gents pocket knife..there's one very similar illustrated in 'Smiths Key' (Pocket Knives 269). The workmanship that's gone into making the knife is to a very high standard, obviously back in the late 18th century labour was very cheap..

Mick
 
Exceptional knife! Thanks for sharing. And yet another short "blade/driver/scrape" that seems to rotate into the handle on the butt end of the handle;last two pics? Also, the 'screw' in the last pic looks as if it turns, to lock the hatches in place.
 
Gevonovich said:
Exceptional knife! Thanks for sharing. And yet another short "blade/driver/scrape" that seems to rotate into the handle on the butt end of the handle;last two pics? Also, the 'screw' in the last pic looks as if it turns, to lock the hatches in place.
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Hi Gevonovich,

I've just had to get the torch out and have a better look inside the knife :D...

The screw driver is part of the backspring, so its solid.

The screws go through the handle cover and iron liner flush inside. The hinged covers when closed rest against the screws..very neat. The screws are original to the knife.

Mick
 
Here's a very decent recent find, a later (1850s) percussion pistol/knife made by Unwin & Rodgers (tang stamp 'JAMES RODGERS & Co, SHEFFIELD). The horn scales are in perfect nick, as is the folding trigger/hammer mechanism..the single folding blade is 'mint' unused with 'Self Protector' etch...the handle butt has a brass hinged plate, inside the butt are balls, caps and a spiky thing ?. The bullet mould insert is missing unfortunately..

Later, 1860s onwards, U & R pistol/knives were rimfire.

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Mick
 
Another amazing knife Mick. Thanks for posting it. Bruce Bump has been known to make those types of knife/pistols. I sent him the link so maybe he'll chime in.

And thanks to your previous post I have purchased a copy of "Smith's Key." (Joseph Smith's "Explanation or Key to the Various Manufactories of Sheffield")
 
Mick, you do find the most amazing old knives. There is nothing like most of the ones you show us here in North America, or at least what very few examples there might be are never seen.
I'm not sure what a "percussion pistol" is. Is it a muzzle loader that was able to fire bullets like a regular pistol of it's day ?
If so i bet you have to have special firearm permits to buy it. Here in Canada you need 5 separate permits to own a pistol and these permits are not easy to obtain.
Your "Self Protector" is certainly another feather in your alreay heavily plumaged cap ! Congratulations to you Mick.
roland
 
Mike Robuck said:
Another amazing knife Mick. Thanks for posting it. Bruce Bump has been known to make those types of knife/pistols. I sent him the link so maybe he'll chime in.

And thanks to your previous post I have purchased a copy of "Smith's Key." (Joseph Smith's "Explanation or Key to the Various Manufactories of Sheffield")
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Delighted you like the pistol/knife Mike..

Sure you'll enjoy reading the 'Smiths Key'..a great 'must have' ref book.. how I would love to own a few of those knives featured !.

Roland, thanks for the compliments on the Rodgers, as its an antique, no permits are required to own it over here in the UK. The percussion pistols are loaded via the muzzle, powder, patch, ball..and cap on the pin. The rimfire loaded via the breech..I think ?...:confused: :D

Mick
 
Pistol/knife combinations always get me attention. I've gotten to play with several of the Unwin and Rodgers models at the Oregon Show. My first cut n shoot was based on this gunknife. They were very useful apparently based on the ones I saw with allot of wear and tear. I'd love to see one that was still pristine condition.
I'm still making guns and knife combinations and just won "Best of Show" in Little Rock Arkansas with the Port Royal. brag brag
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Bruce Bump said:
I'm still making guns and knife combinations and just won "Best of Show" in Little Rock Arkansas with the Port Royal. brag brag
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This is one of my favorite all time threads here on BF. Thanks for everyone that contributes such fine pieces for us to learn and look at.

Bruce, Congrats on your award, and I have heard it said, it's not bragging if you can do it:thumbup:
 
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