I have searched the internet and I have not found anything on this manufacturer of this knife. I'm hoping someone may have some information on it or at least be able to point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance. I can't figure out how to upload a picture. Here's a description. The blade has 2 lions at each end of the blade. One says TRYME and the other Lion has I SURPASS ALL and the top of the blade says Rough & Ready.
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Old knife engraved Rough & Ready
- Thread starter ep2025
- Start date
I'm no expert, but am a little surprised the more helpful folks haven't chimed in yet.
Usually, somebody would've at least pointed out how to post pics with a free account by now - you just need another free account to host them, then you can post links to those images. There's also a tool to have those links show as pics in your post. The little icon is tucked under the vertical dots beside the mountain in a rectangle. The one you want is a mountain in a rectangle in front of another rectangle. Icons are weird.
I can tell you that part of your difficulty is that TRYME is actually two words. That might aid your search.
Weird little icons like those lions were sometimes stamped on old imported blades from England. Are you sure it says "Rough & Ready", not "Rowdy"? That one makes me think it's a more recent repro.
But again, I'm no expert.
Usually, somebody would've at least pointed out how to post pics with a free account by now - you just need another free account to host them, then you can post links to those images. There's also a tool to have those links show as pics in your post. The little icon is tucked under the vertical dots beside the mountain in a rectangle. The one you want is a mountain in a rectangle in front of another rectangle. Icons are weird.
I can tell you that part of your difficulty is that TRYME is actually two words. That might aid your search.
Weird little icons like those lions were sometimes stamped on old imported blades from England. Are you sure it says "Rough & Ready", not "Rowdy"? That one makes me think it's a more recent repro.
But again, I'm no expert.
Thanks for your reply I'll look into loading a picture. Here's a little bit more information. The blade also has a symbol with what looks like a tornado with 'Liberty' written inside of it. The base of the blade from what I can make out has a crown then has A&F. W** then 'Howard" underneath then under that what looks to be SH***** some of the letters are unrecognizable. Very old knife.
Crazy question, but- what kind of knife is it?
Folding knife? Carving knife? Bowie knife? Etc?
As far as guessing, there was a cutlery company (sellers/importers) named Alfred Field & Co, that used an "A" and an "F" with a crown as a logo (example below). They had cutlery made in Sheffield, and elsewhere. Perhaps they had some knives made by George Woodhead.
But without pictures, all you're likely to get are guesses.
Folding knife? Carving knife? Bowie knife? Etc?
As far as guessing, there was a cutlery company (sellers/importers) named Alfred Field & Co, that used an "A" and an "F" with a crown as a logo (example below). They had cutlery made in Sheffield, and elsewhere. Perhaps they had some knives made by George Woodhead.
But without pictures, all you're likely to get are guesses.
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Search function -> Lots of instructions on how the post pictures.....
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I've included a picture of your knife in this post (first pic).
And just to add to the possibilities, there was a cutlery company named "Howards" (Francis Howard) located in Sheffield (pics of a few Howards knives tang stamps below).
I recommend posting a full picture of your knife on a plain background, and a clear close-up pic of the tang stamp (where it says A & F with the crown, etc). But there is always the possibility that no one here will be able to positively identify it. It could simply be a very rare knife from a very old and obscure maker.
Howards knives
And just to add to the possibilities, there was a cutlery company named "Howards" (Francis Howard) located in Sheffield (pics of a few Howards knives tang stamps below).
I recommend posting a full picture of your knife on a plain background, and a clear close-up pic of the tang stamp (where it says A & F with the crown, etc). But there is always the possibility that no one here will be able to positively identify it. It could simply be a very rare knife from a very old and obscure maker.
Howards knives
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That looks like a genuine cyphered folding Bowie, these usually date pre-Civil War. Sadly, I don't recognize the stamp, but it is a Sheffield product. Killgar might be on to something with this latest stamp.
Bit of a chase, but send a message to Mark Zalesky, he might know. He, and his dad are big collectors of this type - https://www.facebook.com/mark.zalesky.10 .
Here's a presentation his dad did on them -
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Bit of a chase, but send a message to Mark Zalesky, he might know. He, and his dad are big collectors of this type - https://www.facebook.com/mark.zalesky.10 .
Here's a presentation his dad did on them -
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I messaged Mark thanks for the info guys. There is a back story. My dad told me one of my great uncles got was somewhere where there were soldiers coming back from an Indian war and they all had these knives. He kept trying to buy one off of them but no one would sell them then finally one of the soldiers need money for a train ticket to get back home and sold it to him.
If you get an answer from Mr. Zalesky, please come back and tell us what he said.
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SharpBits
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2002
- Messages
- 5,609
This one was fun, thanks for posting.
I found this link to long finished auction for a similar knife: https://bid.poulinauctions.com/RARE-EARLY-SAMUEL-WRAGG-CYPHERED-FOLDING-BOWIE_i54234374. The engravings are different, but the "I surpass all" and "Try me" are also engraved on this one.
I found this link to long finished auction for a similar knife: https://bid.poulinauctions.com/RARE-EARLY-SAMUEL-WRAGG-CYPHERED-FOLDING-BOWIE_i54234374. The engravings are different, but the "I surpass all" and "Try me" are also engraved on this one.
I found that knife in my searches as well. I can only hope it's that valuable but I believe swag is a highly valuable knife. Mine i can't seem to find any connections except rough and ready is connected to president Zachory Taylor. So maybe it was a commemorative knife. Mark had said it's from sheffield 1840 to 1850 so that timeline checks out. I can't figure out what symbol in the middle of the blade with Liberty inside of it is.
The knife below has similar cyphers as your knife. The symbol with "Liberty" written in it is described as a "liberty cap". A "liberty cap" is a soft conical cap used as a symbol of freedom.
Here's an explanation of the "liberty cap"- https://www.aoc.gov/explore-capitol-campus/blog/liberty-cap-symbol-american-freedom.
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SharpBits
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2002
- Messages
- 5,609
Thank you!