The Federal Shield...

[drj211]

A couple custom federal shields…..



And a random bomb shield…..!

 

[btb01]

I like them all...equally! A few recent of mine. All non-steel are MOP, Westinghouse special blue glass and African goat horn.

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No hot dog?

 

[Stelth]

I like the federal shield very much, but since it was pointed out to me that it looks like a ladies' one-piece bathing suit it's hard not to see it.

 

[Steven65]

Love that Federal Shield! A few of mine.

 

[waynorth]

I like them all...equally! A few recent of mine. All non-steel are MOP, Westinghouse special blue glass and African goat horn.

Are you making knives again, Jason?? I see some beauties!!

 

[Rufus1949]

A few federales

 

[DaveHS]

I’m with Rufus1949 Sometimes no shield is cool too.

 

[DaveHS]

If you have it you know

 

[mrknife]

custom spade and coke bottle

 

[Will Power]

 

[Will Power]

I don't remember ever seeing anything but a bar shield on older Sheffield knives?

Do you reckon fancy shields were an American thing ?

I'd say so Lyle, the American makers seemed very taken by a large variety of shields already towards the end of the c19th. Customers obviously liked the extra ornamentation & detail, who can blame them? Was reading that George Schrade on a visit to Turner's Sheffield works in 1910 was showing off a machine for the inletting of shields. Clearly the Americans were the innovators here. Sheffield seemed to use the Bar shield for the main but if we take a look at catalogues, some Oval or Lozenge shield and Federals were appearing by the early c20th. See these excellent examples from page 1 of this valuable sticky

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/vintage-knife-catalogs-ads-images-links-only.755317/

I've heard shields referred to as Escutcheon bars too, not surprisingly as there is a link with heraldry, coats of arms, crests etc. The Bar shield sometimes took an owner's engraved initials, name or firm's name.

Thanks, Will

 

[Will Power]

Best of both worlds ?

 

[speiserjc]

A few old users...

 

[Old Hunter]

Diamond shield.

 

[SteveC]

Badge, bomb or chubby corset, you decide . . .

Barrage Balloon

 

[Will Power]

Let's not forget the Coin or Medallion shield. Not perhaps the most inspiring type but a solid workhorse favoured by many companies- Canal St. Queen Cutlery, Böker etc

 

[Will Power]

However, not all Bökers have the Coin shield. Here a Federal with stamped tree.

 

[Peregrin]

A couple of Arrowheads on a Northwoods and a Scagel.

Edited to add this Fall Creek.

 

[5K Qs]

Often, someone will post a comment in a thread that says something like, "We need more pictures in this thread."
But I think THIS thread has lots of good photos, but I would certainly appreciate some precise definitions for types of shields!
How is a "federal shield" defined?
Must a "federal shield" ALWAYS have a "central point" on both top and bottom?
Is it a specific example of a more general shield type (maybe a "crest shield")?
How does a "federal shield" differ from a "badge shield" or a "crest shield" or a "corset shield"?

At least one inquiring mind wants to know!

- GT

 

[Will Power]

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