Morning folks, as
screened porch
says, your knife is a skinner
J
Joey-B
. It has the corporate mark of John Petty & Sons of Sheffield, as seen on the tang of this Penknife.
Petty's were based on Garden Street in one of Sheffield's oldest cutlery areas, known as 'Cutler's Hill' about half a mile from the town church. They were a well-known firm, so you should have no difficulty finding information about them online.
Petty's produced some beautiful Penknives, but they also specialised in trade knives (knives for various trades), such as your skinner. Some examples here, including one very much like your knife.
And one of mine.
The firm appear to have been established by John Thomas Petty (C.1818-1887), a pen blade forger (and for a period of time a shopkeeper and grocer). In 1868, he advertised as a maker of farriers and oyster knives. After his death, his sons, John Thomas Petty (1848-1931) and Joseph Heald Petty (1856-1920), took over. In !881, Petty's employed only 6 workers, but began expanding in the late !9th century, moving to Perth Works in the 1890s. Their trade catalogue advertised knives for butcher's, painters, cobbler's, plumbers, etc, as well as 'Green River' knives. They also made made various pocket knives.
As well as their famous 'Barrel' mark, Petty's used various other marks acquired from smaller firms, as well as the word 'MAGNETIC'.
The Petty brothers passed away in the 1920's and 30's, when John Bernard Petty (1879-1949), the son of John Thomas, ran the firm. The firm remained in family hands after his death, when John Douglas Petty (1895-1961) and John Reginald Petty (1908-1996) took charge. Perth Works closed in 1986.
As for the age of your knife, Petty's were hand-forging their blades at least as late as the 1930's, and possibly some decades later. The style of the knife is the same as knives which are still made in Sheffield today. The stamp 'Tom Smith's Special' above 'Salford' may offer some clues. The company appears to have been a factors (which is why Petty's name is not on your knife), an ironmonger or hardware store, who also sold razors made by Petty's, and presumably other products made by them.
They appear to have been a small firm, and Smith is obviously a very common name, but you may be able to find them in local trade directories for Manchester & Salford, which are often available online.
