Old Military Knife

smiling-knife

smiling-knife

Joined
Nov 11, 2006
Messages
2,697
Hi here is an interesting old military knife. It is marked Hunter Sheffield on the blade tang and has the military broad arrow and 'I' on both the blade and the can opener indicating that it was government issue for use in India. Must be from the Victorian era. It seems like the bolsters are cast as part of the frame rather than attached, although it is hard to say forsure. The stag is in good shape except for one little chunk missing on one side. The blade has obviously seen quite alot of use and the frame is a little worse for wear at the blade end. I acquired this from a knife friend in Texas, who bought it from a guy in Alaska sometime ago and who knows how it ended up there. Quite a journey around the world, but it is home now and resting comfortably after what was surely a most interesting life.
Hun-1.jpg

Hun-3.jpg

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Very cool, S-K. I'm glad that one has returned home to the UK after its travels. If only knives could talk. I bet that one has a story or two.
 
Yep... nice knife! Waysouth has a pet peeve about the tang sticking up in another thread but, it is really picking at straws here, I would EDC your knife anyday!
 
Great !, a stag handled government issue, you just don't see that any more...

Being a knot-tier, I am fond of knives with Marlin Spikes, this is a particularly nice one.

Luis
 
Hi s-k,
I just thought I'd insult your tang for a few minutes!! Wow, does it ever stick up in the air! You could probably sit on it and eat your lunch!! (cymbal! drum)!
But seriously, do you have to walk around it to answer the phone!! Haw Haw!
All kidding aside, nice knife! BTW, how long is it??
 
Nice old slipjoint knife S-K. I'll bet that old copper bail is a more recent addition and replaced the original sometime back. If and when you get the story from the Alaskan chap perhaps you would be good enough to share it with us?. This knife looks well worthy of such a tale no doubt..:)
 
It looks like an allied navy knife produced in the US during WWI, and used by commonwealth forces (especially Canada).

AlliedNavyknife1915.jpg


Here is another one.

n2s
 
Good morning and thanks everyone. Glad you like the tang waynorth. The length is pretty much right on 5 inches. I think the size and weight disqualify it as a comfortable edc. It does have a lot in common with your great Camillus not2sharp. Maybe mine was just a slightly earlier version. What do you think the original bail would have been like sunnyd? Have a great day.
 
smiling-knife said:
.. What do you think the original bail would have been like sunnyd?.
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Is the bail copper? Or due my eyes deceive me and it is some other metal.. I imagine(if it is a replacement) that it looks much the same as the original except perhaps the little floral design embellishment at the pin. It just further proves to me that someone, or several someones really treasured that knife and depended upon it as the trusted tool it must have been.
 
That bail is correct for that knife . They are a hefty tool but I always buy them if I see a good one . They have become much rarer these days , s good find .

Paul.
 
pualdulson,

Well Thank you. I learned something new this morning even before the sunrise. I stand corrected.. :o Thats what I get for jumping to conclusions.:D
 
sunnyd said:
pualdulson,

Well Thank you. I learned something new this morning even before the sunrise. I stand corrected.. :o Thats what I get for jumping to conclusions.:D
Click to expand...

Sunnyd,
if you can find a copy , 'British and Commonwealth military knives' by Ron Flook is a great reference. I'm going to delve into my copy later to check out that marking on the blade.

Paul.
 
Hi s-k, and I'm glad you have a sense of humor! Sorry to "spill over" into your thread!
 
pauldulson said:
Sunnyd, if you can find a copy , 'British and Commonwealth military knives' by Ron Flook is a great reference. I'm going to delve into my copy later to check out that marking on the blade.

Paul.
Click to expand...

Paul,

Wow, you were not kidding when you said: "if you can find a copy.." The last several sites I visited to obtain a copy of Mr. Flooks book were sold out. Thanks for the information though, and I will keep an eye out for it in the mean time.

Best,
Anthony
 
I have a knife very near in appearance only the scales are some sort of wood , perhaps Ebony , part of the tang sticks up as a screwdriver , missing copper bail , this knife is impossible to open with aid of a pliers , I think anyone trying to use the nailnick would de-claw themselves quickly.

Nice acquisition. :)
 
sunnyd said:
Paul,

Wow, you were not kidding when you said: "if you can find a copy.." The last several sites I visited to obtain a copy of Mr. Flooks book were sold out. Thanks for the information though, and I will keep an eye out for it in the mean time.

Best,
Anthony
Click to expand...

Anthony ,
Abebooks.co.uk shows several copies available over here, @ $25 US seems to be the best price.

Cheers ,
Paul.
 
waynorth said:
Hi s-k,
I just thought I'd insult your tang for a few minutes!! Wow, does it ever stick up in the air! You could probably sit on it and eat your lunch!! (cymbal! drum)!
But seriously, do you have to walk around it to answer the phone!! Haw Haw!
All kidding aside, nice knife! BTW, how long is it??
Click to expand...

I guess it is OK if I side-track my own thread. If you like that tang waynorth you'll love this one. it's the size of one of those small New England states. Enjoy :D
Nov20023.jpg
 
But seriously folks... I was wondering if anyone has any further information on dating the broad arrow I or Hunter Sheffield marks? please see start of post. Thanks very much.
 
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