- Joined
- Jul 15, 1999
- Messages
- 541
The only other hobby that I have that has me sucked in more than traditional knives is metal detecting, and for me, even more addicting is detecting areas that have strong, historical family ties.
I swung my detector in my grandmother's garden last week, and a pocket knife turned up.
They've owned the farm since the late forties, but it dates back to the early-mid 1800's.
It's possible that the knife belonged to my grandfather, which would make it priceless to me (even in the state it's in), but most likely, it belonged to someone who lived there before him. (I know he carried Barlows, most likely at least since the mid-1950's, and this isn't a barlow.)
I'm not expecting miracles or a positive ID. I'm just asking for a point in the right direction pattern or brand-wise (hopefully both) from the experts here. (Interestingly enough, this find has pushed me off the fence on ordering a forum knife--you'll see why.)
Before I post the pics, here's what I know.
1. It definitely dates before 1986, 90% sure it dates before the mid-1950's, and 75% sure before the late 1940's.
2. It's 4" long (closed), 3/4" wide at the wider bolster line and 9/16" wide at the narrow bolster end. It's 11/16" deep/fat at the bolster line on the fatter end (knife turned on it's spine, looking down and measuring.) No way to measure the narrower end.
3. It has solid nickel/silver bolsters and brass liners with a brass center divider, which (I assume) means 2 springs and 2 blades.
4. 3 pins on each side (one main larger pin near the spine and 2 smaller pins at each end) and an additional pin hole on one side, which I assume held a shield.
5. The wide bolster is 'candle-tip' shaped. Narrow end is squared off, but still rounded.
What I don't know--blade types/lengths, handle material, brand.
Here are the pics:
As I said, I don't expect anyone to give me real specifics on the knife. Due to the historical relation to my family, I would simply like to pick up as similar a pattern as possible, based on what I know and what others may be able to tell me about what I've found. Any help at all is appreciated--thanks in advance!
I swung my detector in my grandmother's garden last week, and a pocket knife turned up.
They've owned the farm since the late forties, but it dates back to the early-mid 1800's.
It's possible that the knife belonged to my grandfather, which would make it priceless to me (even in the state it's in), but most likely, it belonged to someone who lived there before him. (I know he carried Barlows, most likely at least since the mid-1950's, and this isn't a barlow.)
I'm not expecting miracles or a positive ID. I'm just asking for a point in the right direction pattern or brand-wise (hopefully both) from the experts here. (Interestingly enough, this find has pushed me off the fence on ordering a forum knife--you'll see why.)
Before I post the pics, here's what I know.
1. It definitely dates before 1986, 90% sure it dates before the mid-1950's, and 75% sure before the late 1940's.
2. It's 4" long (closed), 3/4" wide at the wider bolster line and 9/16" wide at the narrow bolster end. It's 11/16" deep/fat at the bolster line on the fatter end (knife turned on it's spine, looking down and measuring.) No way to measure the narrower end.
3. It has solid nickel/silver bolsters and brass liners with a brass center divider, which (I assume) means 2 springs and 2 blades.
4. 3 pins on each side (one main larger pin near the spine and 2 smaller pins at each end) and an additional pin hole on one side, which I assume held a shield.
5. The wide bolster is 'candle-tip' shaped. Narrow end is squared off, but still rounded.
What I don't know--blade types/lengths, handle material, brand.
Here are the pics:
As I said, I don't expect anyone to give me real specifics on the knife. Due to the historical relation to my family, I would simply like to pick up as similar a pattern as possible, based on what I know and what others may be able to tell me about what I've found. Any help at all is appreciated--thanks in advance!
