"Old Knives"

[puukkoman]

Mike, that's a really cool one! That frame is interesting, almost like a dogleg stockman. Pretty old bone on it, too! :thumbup:

 

[VCM3]

" A campaign knife was a typical sportsman knife, usually 4 - 5 inches long, to which a stout, usually flat ground locking spear main blade was fitted. A few had clip points. These were carried by many in military service in the mid to latter 1800's after dirks lost favor, but could be purchased by anyone. The main was generally flat ground instead of the usual English hollow grind to give the stabber main more lateral strength, while the lock mechanism basically turned the knife into a folding dirk, with additional usefulness provided by the secondary blades and
fold out or pull out implements. On this example the maker took the flat grind one step further and carefully convex ground it. It has no lateral flex what so ever. It is the only such example of this blade grind on an English folding knife that I own or have seen. It is 4 1/2"
long, has fully milled brass liners, with a nickel silver bar shield and pins, hafted in hand checkered horn, with a pull out tweezers and pricker flush fit into the handle end. Nicely fitted horn blade rest / catch bit for the locking master. Both blades and the corkscrew ride on lobster type " V " springs. Built approx. 1840 - 1890, tang stamped R. Anderson & Sons, Edinburgh. I cannot find out if this was a maker or a Scottish retailer / purveyor of some sort. It appears to be Sheffield or London built. It has a few pits and spiders but still appears unused . "

 

[VCM3]

 

[Gevonovich]

Always an absolute pleasure, Vince!!!

 

[VCM3]

Always an absolute pleasure, Vince!!!

I like this knife a lot!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Stunning! its amazing the knife is in such wonderful condition, and that the Pick and Tweezers are still there!
I love that Checkered Horn, and you don't appreciate just how magnificent the job of the scales are done until you have a good look at the sides ( Liner facing up ), just amazing!

 

[Ballenxj]

WOW Vince! That R Anderson & Sons knife is a real show piece! Especially for the vintage. I can't imagine a knife from the late 1800's being in that good of shape and still having it's tweezers and toothpick still in tact. Nice file work too.
May I ask if it was a family heirloom? If not, where would you find such an exquisite piece?
-Bruce

 

[black mamba]

Vince, one of the very nicest of the whole thread.

Muy bueno, compadre.

 

[mike Berkovitch]

Vince, one of the very nicest of the whole thread.

Muy bueno, compadre.

Yep! I agree
Mike

 

[puukkoman]

Wow, that one's so cool! And the horn catch-bit, still intact, is the icing on the cake. Thank you for posting that gem, Vince. :thumbup:

 

[J. Oeser]

Vince, you keep blowing my mind. All these recent knives are absolutely fantastic.

 

[VCM3]

Vince, you keep blowing my mind. All these recent knives are absolutely fantastic.

Here's a size comparison shot with 4.5" "back pocket"

The middle knife is that R 7833 Remington posted a few weeks ago

 

[CNoyes]

That R. Anderson & Son is a fabulous piece of pocket cutlery.

Superb.

A quick Google found several fishing reels and golf clubs marked as on your knife.

So, Robert Anderson & Son was most likely a purveyor of sporting equipment.

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/17047920_r-anderson-and-sons-of-edinburgh-trout-reel

 

[VCM3]

"This firm was in business from 1795 up into the 1990's. This knife is pre- 1890. This knife has seen some use but much of it is still pretty minty. It is only 2 inches closed. Note that in the one image you can see that Lincoln's head on the penny is significantly larger than the bolster. Ivory hafted, 6 implements, 3 wide, plus a bail, single pin in the shield. Shown along with a case 47 pattern stockman for scale. Has very strong springs, even for a larger knife than this."

 

[pipedreams308]

That is an amazing little knife, Vince!

 

[ptradeco]

Vince, your friend must have been collecting for a very long time. Even with plenty of resources many of these would be very difficult to find. However long it has been he has an outstanding collection and excellent taste. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Will Power]

It's a collection that would make a museum envious!

Really impressed by that Tiny Sportsman's knife. Must've been a costly item new, being so intricate. Possibly a special commission or a test of skill in making a small three thick multi tool. Wonder if the corkscrew is really possible to use?

Thanks, Will

 

[VCM3]

" Another of those older names one seldom sees, like so many of the hundreds of smaller makers that existed back when these knives were built. In business from 1843 - 1870 when the company was sold to Joseph Elliot. This example appears to predate that sale. His trademark was " Bona - Fide". 3 5/8" closed, " pressed stag " scales, pen blade remains unused, but main has been re profiled and has had a brushed finish applied.......appears about 3/16" short. Shield pins do not extend through liner, appears to be pinned only to the haft. I've seen this on one other very old knife, but can't remember which one. Nice older knife with little use, pull outs appear original to the knife."

 

[VCM3]

Ebony,steel bolster /liner. Older stamp

 

[VCM3]

That is an amazing little knife, Vince!

Vince, your friend must have been collecting for a very long time. Even with plenty of resources many of these would be very difficult to find. However long it has been he has an outstanding collection and excellent taste. :thumbup::thumbup:

It's a collection that would make a museum envious!

Really impressed by that Tiny Sportsman's knife. Must've been a costly item new, being so intricate. Possibly a special commission or a test of skill in making a small three thick multi tool. Wonder if the corkscrew is really possible to use?

Thanks, Will

Thanks fella's