"Old Knives"

A Landers, Frary & Clark (New Britain, CT) barehead jack with yellow imitation pearl covers. Levine says that L.F.&C was founded in 1863/1865 and lasted until 1954, and was the world's largest cutlery firm in 1900. They made pocket knives from 1912/1914 until the 1930s. And a Sharp Cutter (NYC, NY) doctor's knife in candy striped celluloid. Sharp Cutter was a trademark of Samuel E, Bernstein, along with Royal Brand.

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Edited at 2:05 pm EST 1/18/18 to add: Note the Universal engraved on spear of LF&C above , one of their trademarks.

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- Stuart
 
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Jack Black said:
Wow, those two are in outstanding condition! :eek: Where do you guys find these old Barlows?! :cool:

Check out the link I posted a couple of pages back for info and discussion on Furness Barlows in Charlie's Barlow thread. Edward Furness (1837-1907) was the younger brother of Enos, sons (along with Matthew Junior, Ralph, George Brown, and Charles) of Matthew (1808-1875) and Eliza. Here's their advert from the 1879 Sheffield Directory.

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The other Barlow bears the mark of Samuel Barlow, and also the 'Barlow' mark originally registered by John Barlow (no relation to Samuel, but grandson of Obadiah Barlow) in 1745, and taken over by Samuel Barlow subsequent to John Barlow's death. Confusingly, John Barlow had a son called Samuel, but he emigrated to America, spending most of his life in Chicago, while Samuel Barlow's grandson was called John Barlow Mills. His father Henry Mills inherited the Barlow marks, having married Samuel's daughter - Yes, my head is spinning too! As with the Furness link, there's plenty more in Charlie's Barlow thread if you search for it. I think I've even posted a copy of the relevant section of Samuel Barlow's will. Plenty to get your teeth into there :)

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My head is still spinning !!

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Bartleby said:
It is quite a puzzle. Levine would be way off in stating that knives with one piece bolsters and liners stopped being produced in 1860 or 1870 (he states both in different places) if the Furness knives with bolster-liners were still being produced after the McKinley Tariff was passed in October of 1890. Unless, perhaps, the Furness knives were already being marked England before 1890?
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Does the Furness Barlow have integral bolsters/liners?
 
Funny you guys are discussing Furness Barlows this week as I just picked up a MF&S which I think is for Matthew Furness. This one is not marked England and from what I can find I'm thinking 1860's 1870's. Knife is in very good condition for its age still showing some original grind marks on bolster and full blade.
Seller claimed it was found in the wall of a fallen down cabin in PA.

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Jack Black said:
Does the Furness Barlow have integral bolsters/liners?
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The only one that I handled did, it was marked on the bolster EF&S with a dot between E and F. The blade was stamped ENOS NESS over EN (it had been heavily worn by hitting the liner), but the stamp was similar to the Ed Furness one pictured on post #13901. The ones I have seen on Google images all seemed to have integral bolster liners as well. The one I have handled belongs to a friend who is a more serious collector than I, but I think I might be able to get another look at it. Were Furness Barlows also made with separate bolsters and liners as well?
 
Augie said:
Funny you guys are discussing Furness Barlows this week as I just picked up a MF&S which I think is for Matthew Furness. This one is not marked England and from what I can find I'm thinking 1860's 1870's. Knife is in very good condition for its age still showing some original grind marks on bolster and full blade.
Seller claimed it was found in the wall of a fallen down cabin in PA.

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Smashing catch, Augie !! And those photos...a pure treat :);)
 
Campbellclanman, great group of old military folders a few pages back!!!
Jack, wonderful information on some Barlow history, thanks. And a couple of very nice Furnace examples from Gevonovich and Augie.
And several other beautiful knives from wlfry, galvanic, V.P., waynorth, lambertiana, and others.

Here is an early post-war pearl handled gentleman's knife.
It's marked "Ahlstrom Eskilstuna Sweden" and has an unusual corkscrew which pivots sideways and then folds out.
With nickel silver liners, bolsters, and pins, it is very well made knife.

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Will Power said:
Fantastic Cell that! Particularly the candy-stripe, looks good enough to chew...:D:eek:
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Campbellclanman said:
Duck dog- two great old Knives- like the guys have said- That Candy is simply gorgeous- and the LFC Jack is a very nice old Jack- great Knife.
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Thanks, guys. yes, the candy SharpCutter is sweet. Today, I have a Cattaraugus equal end jack (1886-1963) and Robeson Shuredge regular jack (1940-1964). They aren't as old as the amazing pieces shown recently, but they do both have ties to Little Valley, NY, an old center of cutlery creation.

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- Stuart
 
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[QUOTE

Here is an early post-war pearl handled gentleman's knife.
It's marked "Ahlstrom Eskilstuna Sweden" and has an unusual corkscrew which pivots sideways and then folds out.
With nickel silver liners, bolsters, and pins, it is very well made knife.

View attachment 831976[/QUOTE]

Beautiful knife, it appears to be an example of the Gottleib Hammesfahr 1897 patent. Made in Germany and Sweden. Stainless blades perhaps from the 1920s-30s.
 
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