Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

This forum is dedicated to the discussion and display of old knives. The rich history of all the many companies that made them through the early years will be found here as well as many fine examples of the cutlers art. Share pictures of your old knives and your knowledge here!
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lt632ret
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by lt632ret »

Hello I have been away the cards have not gotten any better. First I want to thank everyone for there support second I received a request for a backspring for an LB 7 but lost the email they were supposed to send me a pic of the broken one so that I could try to find the right one. please send the pic and a new email.

I thought that for a break in my usual routine I would talk about something a little different. When involved in a project like a knife museum building displays is on going. As I have mentioned finding the old displays is a project by itself. Just a couple of weeks ago I managed to locate an auction ( out west ) in South Dakata. They had a nice circa 1920 Schrade cut table top display case for sale. I have 2 other of these exact models they are highly sought after and while I have seen them go for less, a few years ago one of them with a couple of empty boxes sold for 2100 dollars. 15 years ago they might bring 300. These are getting quite rare ( note these were among the first to have wood cases the earlier ones were all glass. ) Upon contacting the auction house I was told that this one had been in an old general store in Colorado. they estimated the piece at 350 to 600 I won it on a telephone bid and ended up after buyers premium, shipping ect total just under 1000. OK I guess it could be worse I could be addicted to opium instead of these artifacts it might be a little more expensive. None the less I bought it. As I said I have two others of the same model however for some time I had been wanting to do a display of GOLD, SILVER, Pearl and metal sided Schrade and Flylock doubles. I felt that this case would be the ideal home for this grouping.
I received the display safe and sound about a week ago.

This being said the grouping of knives I wanted to put in it were quite nice Silver, gold and metalic flylocks large and small (2,7/8 and3,3/8 ) . Schrade sterling and nickle, pearles, and two minty small golds . The only thing really missing was a 740 GOLD which is the large 3,3/8" double which is sided in 12 K gold plate. They only made 2 gold models Large and small, this large one has, at least for me been quite elusive. I figured it would still be a nice display even without it. Then as the fates would have it while going through ebay for the 12th time last Thursday nite ( I usually get up during commercials and do a couple of pages ). There appeared a new listing apparently just listed. A buy it now, the ad went on to describe a duly marked salesmans sample marked 740 GOLD which had belonged to the sherriff of Walden in the 1920tys and that he (the seller ) was selling for the old deceased sheriffs grand daughter. Condition was pristene. Three, best offers had already been tendered. I knew that it would not be there in the morning so i bought it on the spot. Turns out the fellow only lived 45 minutes away so I got hold of him and picked it up on last Friday. It is strange that after many years of searching this is how all this took place but I must say similar things have happened in the past over the years. I have a couple of pics of the display and knives and will add one of the 740 as soon as i post this. I also just completed a JM ( Jackmaster ) series the last grouping there were four variations which I hope to post in a few days. Imperials jackmasters frontiers ect make nice collecables being relatively inexpensive they are pleniful colorful and have a rich history they make a nice entry point for the newer collector. LT PS You can bet they will not be inexpensive and pleniful forever.
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by philco »

Excellent LT.............simply excellent! ::tu::

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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by ozzie marie »

LT,

I was watching both the Table Top Display Case and 740 Gold Double. ::nod::

I knew these pieces of Schrade Cutlery History were well out of my reach, but am happy to know that they landed in the best place possible ::ds::

Thanks for sharing ::tu::

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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

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I spoke to the seller of the knife the next day when i picked it up . I inquired about the other bidders and what the offers were one offer was 50 dollars one was 550 and the other was in between I forget exactly. However he did tell me that after the auction closed he had several offers to buy it now and a couple of them offered to pay more than the buy it now if he would sell to them. Most people will stick to a sale when it is made but I do pay immediately so that there is no question of my being a legit buyer. I mentioned my recent expenditures to a friend of mine ( A couple of which I have not mentioned but it is Christmas and I do like convertibles ) any way his statment to me was that his mother used to say coffins don't have any pockets. I believe that the secret being happy is to have enough to be able to afford to eat, drink and do what you want but not so much that it no longer means anything to you, if I made millions my collection really would not mean much to me since all I would have to do is go out and buy whatever I wanted. To capture a piece I have sought for years and perhapes feel a small bite only makes the accquisition better. I suppose my enjoyment is increased because of all the years raising five kids on one salary when venison and home baked bread were staples we would even render the annual hog ( I would have raised by a friend ) you would put the hog fat in a number ten can on the wood stove and let it melt then save the lard to make bread. The kids would use a double handed cross buck to cut two 6 foot length logs ( I would get fire wood by log length, dump truck loads ) before going to school and I would split them when I got home from work. They say to really live you must almost die I guess to really enjoy a few dollars you have had to have been broke.
Perhapes these items will be left and will yet be able to be enjoyed by others. In the mean time the way I figure it is that they still are a better investment than a bank account. Hopefully I will be able to run out my string without ever having to cash this stuff in but, it isnt like I was throwing it all away on wimmen and booze. Although I do wish I could find the wimmen and could still drink like I used to. I mean I could afford waste some of it.

I always wonder about these people like these CEO's and athletes, famous stars ect. who make 20 or 50 or 100 million or more a year . Year after year what the hell do they do with it I mean if you make 20 million one year do you really need another 20 million next year and the year after what is there that they could spend it on that would still give them enjoyment. Be it a can of beans or caviar you can only eat so much of anything.

I do not think that these people realize that life is kind of like a game of monopoly you start the game and play until one player owns everything. At that point the game is over and you devide things up again and start over . When that happens in the economy all that paper will be just that, they will just use another medium or print different money and start the game over. LT PS Didn't Forrest Gump say something like that ( Oh that was Life is like a box of chocolates. )
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by orvet »

LT,
That 740 Gold is a stunner! ::tu::
That case is excellent, great finds, both!

Thanks for preserving more history and sharing it with us.

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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

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The weather is more than freezing and for the moment I am caught up on the mundane chores. Well I guess I should be doing the laundry. Instead I want to touch on a point I made in yesterdays posting about coincidences and things that happen out of the blue sometimes at the strangest times. One of the rarest of Hudson Valley tang markings is that of the Grahamsville cutlery co. If you take 52 to Ellenville hang a right at the light onto 209 travel past the old Napanoch Elementary school ( which is hopefully to be our permanent home for the Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife museum. ) This is just down the street from the old Napanoch knife company building ( still there ) go over the bridge ( of the Roundout creek which used to power the Napanoch knife company and runs from the roundout reservoir ( which supplies water to NYC ) hang a left and proceed 10 or 15 miles down the road you will come to the small community of Grahamsville. Grahamsville is one of the small communitys that survived ( not flooded over ) when the Merrimac dam was built as part of the NY water supply system . Unlike Eureka NY and old Neversink ( Neversink flats ). Grahamsville is a nice rural community now mainly known for its annual Little worlds fair day and the fact that it remains a dry town and does not allow the sale of Alcohol .

This being said Grahamsville once also produced knives. If you check Goins he writes that the Grahamsville knife company was from 1900 until 1920 . The fact is that no one that I know of actually knows the exact time these were produced but it certainly was not for that long. The 1900 is probably pretty close to correct. This was when Napanoch was around and so was Ulster so there were alot of cutlers in the area. The power supply was basicly the same as that of Napanoch only further north. In the Goins book is a fairly well known and relatively common picture postcard (not written on) of the old building which served as the knife factory. What we do know is that not long after being in business the factory burnt down and that was the end of production it was never rebuilt.

For many decades I have been trying to get information regarding this company. I have gone there to the annual fair. I have inquired I have researched and contacted people, I even played baseball there years ago while stationed at the Eastern correctional facility in Napanoch (just down the road ) I was even put into the stocks there which is the punishment they used to give out for anyone drinking in public ( ie a beer at the ball game ) . Non the less information has been scant in fact for many years I could not even get an example of one of there knives.

Now this brings us to the original subject of this narrative COINCIDENCE. After years of searching about 10 years ago I located a card ( the one Goins had in his book however this one was post marked with a date, ) Within a week from thousands of miles on the other side of the country I received another post card ( again from a completely different source ). This picture was also postmarked with a date. This second card showed a burnt down building and stated . This is what left of the G ville cutlery shop. I also during that same week found my first grahamsville knife a little jigged bone full bolster 2 blade sleeveboard . All of this within one week from 3 different sources thousands of miles apart. The date on the First postcard showing the building intact was Oct 12 1906, the date on the card with the burnt building was Aug 12 1907. Now it is possible that any supply of these knives may have been sold after this date they were no longer being made. It is not unusual for there to be mistakes in books or for information to be approximated so Goins date is no surprise. Jim Sargeant once told me that he had ( at that time ) out, 5 editions of his book and there were new mistakes each time. Needless to say that while a small point of history such as this is no big thing to someone such as myself it is the type of provinance of validation which I truly enjoy.

Over the years I have collected 2 more grahamsvilles one is in Celluloid which is also a two bladed sleeveboard, one in genuine pearl which while the handle is the same size and configuration is a 3 bladed whittler. It is nice to have been lucky enought to get examples of 3 ( perhapes the only ) materials which they were using for handles. All of this is as I said rather unusual especially that it all happened from three points of the compass and all within days and from different sources I admit that is pretty strange and certainly validates my point about coincidence. But you see that is not the really strange point of the story. Both post cards were written by the same person in 1906 and 1907 in Grahamsville and sent ( addressed) to the same person in East Orange NEW JERSEY duly postal stamped from both post offices. So what are the odds on two post cards coming back together to answer a point in history after 100 years. LT
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

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Very impressive collection you have there LT. I feel very fortunate to have seen them. ::nod:: Just incredible!
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

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I received a couple of requests for some close ups of the knives in the Schrade case that I put on a couple of postings ago. Before putting the display away I snapped some shots of the rest of the knives some pics are redundant and I am not even sure if I got everything . I was in a hurry they are not great. However they should be fun to look at. LT
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by orvet »

Great stuff LT!

I love the history lesson about Grahamsville Cutlery Co! ::tu:: ::tu::
I had not heard of that company before.

Please keep the history lessons, stories, anecdotes coming.

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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

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What orvet said ::tu::
An uncontrolled accumulator. ::shrug::
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by richardcraft »

Greetings from the Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum:
Greetings from Napanoch N.Y., the home of the newly formed historical Society and Knife museum. Our museum is housed in a former elementary school and is within view of John Kushners Honk Falls Knife Co. Just upstream stood the famous Napanoch Knife Company and just three miles away is the site of the former Ellenville Cooperative Knife Co. John D.Divine and Ulster Knife Co., Schrade Corporation and the present Canal Street Cutlery Co. Our museum is situated along route 209 in Ulster County, adjacent to the stream that provided the waterpower for the earlier knife companies.
We thank AAPK for their excellent coverage of our new venture and invite you to consider membership in our society. Our Curator, Rich Langston promises you a most unique knife museum full of history, displays, automatics, dies, plans and a million other objects associated with the knife industry and in particular the Schrade Corporation. Our goal is to secure enough membership support to meet our annual operating costs before we open.
We welcome your inquiries and offers of help as we embark upon this new venture. Address them to PO Box 2, Napanoch, NY, 12458
Sincerely,
Dr. Richard Craft, President
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by PA Knives »

Good Day fellow Knife nuts,

I just wanted to say that one of my favorite gifts for Christmas this year was my membership to support this organization. I truly look forward to visiting this summer and meeting LT in person. We have talked on the phone and his outlook on life in general is unique and refreshing. Just like old knives, when comes to LT, "they just don't make'em like that anymore"

I hope others will join to keep this fine organization alive.
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

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Hello to all, sorry I again have been away. gambling, I hope to get back to the poker tables and heated pool, soon, to dang cold and I am getting tired of talking to the critters mostly deer which are my main company up here. I really have to post up some history and pics. I just thought perhapes a respite was in order. Again I want to thank everyone for the nice pics items and info being sent to the museum. We plan eventually to have a billboard to post these items on. We have secured a fire and security system for the permanent site but with limited funds things move slow. Actually a couple of rare pieces ( not expensive just tough to find) have come my way the last jackmaster series consisted of four table displays which look the same but have different inserts . They were known as the JM1, JM2, JM3 and JM4. each variation was used for a few years and then the next variation was used. Most of the imperial jackmaster models are pretty much the same however it is the minor differences which can present difficulty in obtaining, also these knives while originally quite inexpensive are getting tougher to find and of course going up in price. I feel that the almost carnival quality of this line ( in fact they were the evolution of the old carnival automatic knives ) gives them a nice retro look. There were numerous display case lines used for these over the years the plastic table JM series displays were pretty much the last of these before going to clampacks. Of this series only the JM-2 carried a insert spot for the 810s which was a single bladed trapper made in ireland. ( As most of these knives were at the end ) of course originally imperial made them in RI and then in Ellenville. Then Ireland. None the less that 810s proved to be a real nusuance to find while apparently they did not make these for to long nor did they make to many but alot were not in the S ( faux stag shell) series as the insert calls for. Most were advertisers with different handles. There are a myriad of imperial table display series. It is interesting to look at the displays and see the prices starting at under a dollar go up over the years. The other couple of pieces I found were a set of frontier diamond brites a short lived high end issue of imperial frontiers only around for a few year in the 80tys . The 5 and 6 were the smallest of these and were only made for a year or two there were 6 models in all. These were a stainless frame with wood insert and were great knives it is an interesting line pretty much an almost forgotten piece of history. There really are quite a few of these different style display cases of these series of imperials I am posting the Jm series the diamond brie and a few others there are just to many, so stop over for a tour and I will show you the rest over a glass of crown or if you wish hot chocolate.

Now I need a favor I just received a question regarding a Aurums knife in a museum. I could probably guess the answer however a fellow from down under named Tim has really made a study of these however I have lost his email. I would like to direct the fellow with the question to him if someone would send me his (Tims) email or pass the message to him I would appreciate it.. Please makes sure it is Tim as some of you may know it would not be good if I got the wrong fellow in Austrailia. Good holiday to all. LT PS the fellow who posted from the museum is Richard (DOC) Craft he is the president of the Wawarsing historical and knife museum. I am am the vice president, curator, on the executive board oh yes and I sweep up the joint. Doc is a Chiropractor in Wawarsing as is his son. Docs father was one of the original cutlers at Ulster knife. He has been practicing about 60 years and is the former town supervisor. He has amased an amazing collection over the years. Heck you would to if you were a doctor and during the tough times people paid you in knives. Seriously once into our permanent home his collection should prove to be an invaluable tool to the preservation of this history.
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

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lt632ret wrote:Now I need a favor I just received a question regarding a Aurums knife in a museum. I could probably guess the answer however a fellow from down under named Tim has really made a study of these however I have lost his email.
The guy you are looking for goes under the name Timstools, here at AAPK.

Just click the "Members" button at the top of screen and you can PM or Email him.
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by philco »

There is no email service link showing in his Profile. You may just need to send a PM to him. He still logs in from time to time and should see that PM in his inbox when he returns.

Here's a link to his profile page.

http://allaboutpocketknives.com/knife_f ... ile&u=3179


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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

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Thankyou very much Timstools thats it. LT
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

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Welcome ::tu::
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

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Hello everyone just an update on some of the stuff going on as usual it is slow. Like the marines say the difficult we do immediately the impossible takes a little longer. In any event here is an attachment with some of the issues we are addressing. Stay well all and let me know if you are in the area and want a free tour of the temporary museum. If I am not in some casino I am usually here. LT


STATUS OF THE WAWASING HOSTORICAL SOCIETY AND KNIFE MUSEUM


NEED STATUS

Ten member board of trustees four years functioning once a month

Building to house museum Napanoch school leased from Town
No rent-2 yr. Lease

Constitution and By-Laws completed

Charter provisional charter from NYSDE

Liability policy in force

Knife Museum Curator Richard Langston appointed

Town Historian to be appointed by Town

501c3 pending

Knife collections sufficient available for two museums
From local collectors

Historical memorabilia recent promise of a large collection

Internet awareness available on AAPK-All About Pocket
Knives—log on for 26 page spread.
Many in knife collecting world awaiting
our opening.

Turn on electricity May 1st

Fire/Burglar alarm systems awaiting electricity-next priority

Video Security system donated video system will complete
System already in place

Bars on windows being considered

New door locks in process- needs electricity

Highway sign awaiting Spring- Town approval and
DOT approval-sign selected and to be
donated by the Town .

Membership Just over 50 and need 250

Water and sewer following May 1st.

Fuel Oil Fall 2011

Computer and software for catlogue
And insurance plus software no progress

Volunteers for museums to be advertised

Collections Insurance last to be purchased at a cost of
at least $4000 per year for $1 million
Policy. A major obstacle affecting
Museum opening

Funding Present balance will allow us to open
but not stay open. Must have
guaranteed funds to cover insurance
until self sufficient.

Acquisitions large Schrade-Walden display case.
Other items awaiting acquisition

Certificate of Occupancy received

Museum prototype on view at Curators residence. Call Richard Langston @ 845-895-3501—or e-mail lt632ret.@frontiernet.net for free tour.
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

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Thanks for the update LT!
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

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Rich,

Any new progress to report? ::suspense::
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by lt632ret »

Hello well there are a few things which have transpired first there was a knife shop in Pine Bush NY which is kind of between Wallkill where I live and Napanoch which is where the permanent museum is to be located. They decided that it was more profitable to do shows as a primary way to sell knives. Unfortunately they chose to close we managed to find the funding to buy there brand new display cases and counters it was a difficult move since rhe display counters were attached to walls and floors but one of our executive board members is a master carpenter and with him in the lead we summoned up 3 pickups and around 6 people ( pretty much most of our available work force) we managed to get everything over to the new site. They really are some beautiful display cases. We have turned on the electricity at the permanent site and are proceding with getting the security systems fully operational. Systems will include the ability to visually check the museum day or nite via computer log in. As well as security to the building as designated by state law for the display of these items. We also were offered a cache of artifacts ( which for obvious reasons I cannot explain further since the deal is not consumated ) however the purchase funding is substancial so we are attempting to acquire if possible. I have not been writing or doing as much as I should partially for personal reasons. To para phrase an old saying never have so few done so much with virtually nothing . In any event we are shooting for a spring opening ( ie next year. ) I have been giving tours upon request and we are getting a membership ( THANKYOU ALL ) . I hope to be at the New York State Rifle and Pistol ASSN annual installation day on JUNE 11, 2011 with a display and trying to recruit new members and those who may wish to preserve this American history. I have not gone into it before but the law which I wrote and took me 8 years to get through the ( dysfunctional) NYS legislature details a legal procedure for the display of automatic knives in New York State also allows members of legal organizations certain advantages for the possession and carry of these items. As most are probably unaware New York State under its exceptions clause of its version of the switchblade( idiot ). laws does allow for the legal possession and carrying of automatic knives if the possesser has a New York State Hunting Fishing or Trapping license and is in the legal action of any of these endeavers. Which means if you have a fishing rod in the car you may be in the act of this endeaver. Actually if you have a gun on it could also be so interpreted going hunting. Frankly it is a pretty stupid law to rely on but then again making a switchblade knife any more illegal than any other knife or other tool for that matter is even more stupid. However it is a loop hole and for once it works on the side of logic and reason. There are also exceptions for peace officers , military ect.( again most people are unaware that this legality exists I in fact had to explain it to the New York state assembly it also usually has to be pointed out to most police agencys) However under my now a law, members will be covered it allows for members of a duly chartered legal museum or historical society which meets legal criteria, to carry own display ect these items when duly authorized,by such an accredited organization for the benefit and promotion and preservation of the historical educational history, to persue the study, and conserve the artifacts relating to this study. In order to do this members need to carry and collect as well in general pursue these aspects of the study of automatics. What this means is that if authorized as a member and so designated, members may legally carry ( ie transport ) ect these items not only under the Hunting fishing trapping clause but also as a member of an educational historical museum so designated as a legal state organization for such items .

Now getting back to what I originally was explaining as to what our plans are one of the ways in which we hope to raise funding is by having at least an annual Historical museum and knife show and competition. Where for the first time since the ( idiot) switchblade laws were enacted will allow legal competitions for the best exhibits for knifes and historical artifacts (of all catagorys including automatics) collections in the country to be displayed and judged. Trophys and awards hopefully will be given for the best collections not only of automatics but other catagorys. So collectors who have had grandads collection of Case zippers and grizzlys will be able by being a member to dust them off and LEGALLY show them off and possible win a trophy stating best legal automatic switchblade collection in NEW YORK STATE for whatever year it is. Collectors will be able for the first time in NY to show off lifetimes of collecting and preservation of these artifacts and in fact be reconized. While allowing the general public to finally get to see the actual items that for most with interest can only find referenced in books and pictures

Nothing is perfect and while we now have opened up new avenues for the preservation of these artifacts there are still rules. Only members are covered under the new law since it involves the preservation for historical study and educational purposes . Therefore only those who are members will be allowed to display. It must be understood that we will not be selling automatics at the show. Again our goal is to promote the understanding and story of this aspect of American History. However as members you will be legally able to transport in NYS your items for display and be able to be in the competition for what should hopefully become a coveted award . As well as discuss trade or in general deal with other members. People of the general public at the show would also be able to contact members regarding any questions they might have regarding these items.

Now this being said it should again be noted that this venue will now give a legal chance for members to persue this study by displaying , swaping or otherwise engage in this hobby or study as is allowed with any legal study. While only members will be legally able to display the general public will obviously be allowed to come and view the exhibits ( this is in part a fund raiser). Regular knives as well as certain other related items will be allowed to be sold to the general public. THERE WILL BE NO GUNS Sold or displayed with the exception of related knife artifact related. It is hoped that making people aware that a knife which opens with a spring is certainly not any more dangerous than any other tool such as a chain saw , nail gun, hammer, screw driver , or any other tool especially since some of the ones I have are around 200 years old.

Right now we are moving along I will tell you that these stupid laws have been a peeve of mine for a lifetime in fact I truly hope that I live to see this history saved . I am sorry that I do not post more however as you can see I mainly handle this aspect and it is only one of many and to be honest I do not have the gusto I used to . Medicare this year . Turning 65 officially a member of the Obama Ice Floe coalition. ( I hope they save me a seat). All this has taken years but actually there may be some light at the end of the tunnel.

I will try to keep you posted but, if you have any questions please let me know questions force me to sit down when I do, I babble out some information that I would not have sat down to do.

To those who have written looking for a part I simply have not gotten to it . If you can find your way here and let me know you may dig free for parts . My especial apology to Tom Chase I just have not gotten deep enough into the pile to locate handles for you 2 OT and 3 OT I think that is what you are looking for.

All this being said there is more going on but this is the gist of it . PS
It should be noted that the law i wrote is for NYS . Any members from other states should be aware of the laws governing transportation especially interstate. One thing to realise is the federal law is specific in not allowing transport interstate for commerce. However in the case of a show to display you would not be selling ( not commerce) and In NY being a member should cover you . However most NY enforcment agencys are unaware of what the law actually state. So be advised.

PPS Since you had to read all this here is a present an english auto in ivory with filed liners . Alot of stuff popping up due to the economy. I have recently picked up several nice pieces . More money I will never spend on wimmen , liquor and cards . Oh well perhapes in the future someone will enjoy seeing this old example of knife history. LT
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by orvet »

That is a sweet, sweet auto LT! ::tu:: ::tu::

Thanks for the info & update on the museum.
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by Miller Bro's »

Rich,

Thank you for the explanation of the N.Y knife laws. It is a step in the right direction, now if every state in the union would get rid of the these ridiculous switchblade knife laws ::pray::

I hope to visit the museum next year when I have more time to travel ::nod::


That is a nice old English auto ::tu:: Who is the maker?
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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by Chase »

Dang it LT...If i would have known Mike was selling out those display cases...I would have been all over them...great display cases!

HOWEVER- I am extremely Happy that you were able to caoture them for the museum...that's more important.

Can't wait to come back up for a visit!

V/R

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Re: Wawarsing Historical Society and Knife Museum

Post by lt632ret »

Regarding the English maker I cannot get enough of a read ( see attached pics ). I can make out what seems sheffield which is no surprise I really thought before examining that it would be a wolstonholm since I have a similar knife that is . However there were many makers and I am not that familiar with them all. I have found it quite rare to come accross autos from this era I have a few but this is the first in this size and it is ivory the liners are hand milled. The blade is short. it is touchy to keep closed must put pressure on the ivory handles and release slowly for it to stay. the previous owner said that it was fine and then he oiled it . I asked why if it functioned correctly??? He said apparently it was a mistake. it throws like a bear. apparently the oil caused it to spread the handles just enough to make it touchy however it does function correctly with a little TLC. I believe just tapping the rivits or a slight laser touch to the release hole circumference would cure it but it is original the ivory already has a co0uple of faults but it is all there, original and rare so I choose to leave it alone. Hell it could have already been through the civil war, spanish american, WWI WWII and everything since ( perhapes even earlier) so it is what it is,and it has earned a rest and a quiet place to be viewed

Tom come on over and pick out your parts. If I find them before then I will send them if I remember what they were and can find the email where to send. I felt sorry to see the knife shop close but the display cases will really help. I was asked to do a small show in May in Liberty NY for the local fire dept. May 14 and 15 if any one is in the area. I will have around 15 dozen American Schrade new old stock knives on the table ( when is the last time you went to a show and saw that many USA Schrades.) . We will also be recruiting for the museum I am even bringing a few copies of my book and hope to have a couple other surprises perhapes some complete imperial displays a Napanoch or two as well as whatever strikes my fancy. I have doubles and triples of alot of my own stuff . So if in the area stop by it is a fundraiser for the fire dept . It is at the old Sullivans dept store shopping center. Alot of the Schrades I will have for sale are stag and bone they came from a recently accquired collection of an ex employee. This stuff keeps getting harder to find.
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