2 of my knives:

Knife 1: http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/7502/dscn1231z.jpg
Knife 1 blade stamp: http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/274/dscn1238w.jpg
Has the military broad arrow and SSP 1944.


Knife 2: http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5597/dscn1205u.jpg
Knife 2 tang stamp: http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/306/dscn1216d.jpg
"Venture Slater Bros Sheffield" or "Venture Slate Brass Sheffield" or something of the sort.
Knife 2 Marline Spike Stamp: http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/117/dscn1213eqx.jpg
Had an arrow and just a 4? any ideas?

Cheers,

George

Both Knives: http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/6571/dscn1243a.jpg
Both Knives 2: http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/7109/dscn1242l.jpg

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George, Bristol UK

"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself."

"The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground."

The Venture knife is early war issue. I seem to recall that they quit using the copper bow in or around '41. Looks like it met a can that was tougher than it was. Those were issued to the soldiers. Often wondered what kind of ropes the poor dog faces were up against to have a marlin spike on the knife. They probably messed with more ropes and stuff than did the sailors of that era though.

Neat old knives.

Here is my version given to me by my father in law.



It was made by WATTS in Sheffield, It's dated '41 but has a steel bow. The springs in those things are awesome. Nearly 70 years old and been though who knows what and they still snap like an alligator.

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Member of The West Texas Chapter Of Gun Ownin', Pickup Truck Drivin', Jingoistic, Right Wing, History Changin', Huge Carbon Footprint Leavin' Conspirators.

Thanks for the information chap!

Still can't find a date stamp on that second knife though. The only number on it is there "4" on the marlin spike.

Also, is the first knife a military knife? It looks like it has the military broad arrow on the can opener but it's very faint. It also doesn't have a marlin spike. Who would this have been issued too without the marlin spike?

Cheers,

George

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George, Bristol UK

"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself."

"The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground."

I stole this quote from our friend SMILING KNIFE. This was posted by him at THE BRITISH BLADES FORUMS http://www.britishblades.com l Nice bunch of gents over there too.
It may also apply to your knife in question. He was referring to the knife I posted above when I posted it over there looking for information on it.


He's a LOT more knowledgeable on this stuff than I.

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Member of The West Texas Chapter Of Gun Ownin', Pickup Truck Drivin', Jingoistic, Right Wing, History Changin', Huge Carbon Footprint Leavin' Conspirators.

Aye indeed I'm a member over there too! Good forum that!

Sometimes I forget what I post here and what I post there. Post a lot of the same things most of the time!

I'm in the middle of making a website to catalogue my knives at the moment. So will be easier to provide links etc when I'm done with it!

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George, Bristol UK

"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself."

"The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground."

Been way to long since I posted here.

Been researching this, a wooden handled pattern 6363/1905, as used by the British Army from 1905 through till 1939. The early ones had horn scales, later ones had bexoid, but never wood?





Turns out it was made in India for their own troops, so if ever you come across one, now you know.

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stop me when I get boring

Harumph!! Those silly Indians. All those water buffalo cruising around eating and messing up the sidewalks and they use WOOD for knife handles..

Good info to know now though.

Neat old knife too.

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Member of The West Texas Chapter Of Gun Ownin', Pickup Truck Drivin', Jingoistic, Right Wing, History Changin', Huge Carbon Footprint Leavin' Conspirators.

Great knives guys . Thanks for sharing them.

Zorro do you have any date info on your Indian knife? It is the older 6353/1905 pattern but maybe they were made later in India than UK???

The springs on the WWII folders do generally maintain a strong snap over time. Unfortunately the Bexoid scales are highly prone to shrinkage. s-k

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Rust Never Sleeps

George... regarding your second knife. I have this 1939 6353/1905 pattern with the broad arrow and number 3 on the spike. According to Flook these numbers are inspectors' marks along with the GI arrow. There must be a hidden tangstamp for the maker. Your other knife is Venture Slater Bros s-k

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Rust Never Sleeps

Ah wonderful, cheers for the info mate.

What would they have been inspected for? Just to make sure they're in good order?

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George, Bristol UK

"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself."

"The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground."

I think so. Just making sure they are up to standard specs. s-k

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Rust Never Sleeps

Hi Steve, checked again but cannot find any marks. Flooks has a picture of one on page 212, plate 513, which is identical to mine, not much info though.

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stop me when I get boring

For some reason I was typing 1095 when it is 1905 that this pattern (6353) first appeared. Apologies for any confusion. s-k

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Rust Never Sleeps

These belong over here too, I originally posted them over in knife lore in the Rope Knife thread.....................................





M.B.

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Read The Jigged Bone Handles
If It Has A Cutting Edge I Probably Collect It
AAPK Janitor #3607

Hi,

I’ve found my first sheffield knife on a battle field near my home.
Since I found some british knives.
I've the specs of the Pattern 6353/1905, but I shall like to know if there is same specs for the following models.

Clasp Knife pattern 6353/1905 with manufacturing specs No. 429a approved 1 Sept 1905:


The blade and Tin Opener to be made of best cast steel, free from flaws, properly hardened and tempered, and to be as thin and as well ground as the Standard Pattern; the edge of the Blade to be wetted on an oilstone; to be 3 ½ inches long from “kick” point, to be 11/16 inch wide; the Bolster to be ½ inch long, to be solid, and made from the best iron; the “Springs” to be made of best spring steel, properly hardened and tempered. The Marline Spike to be made of cast steel, properly hardened and tempered. Length of Marline Spike when shut to be within 1/8 inch shorter than Spring; and the point, when shut, to be fitted close on the spring to prevent catching in the pocket.
The Length of the Handle to be 4 7/8 inches; the Scales to be checkered black horn 4 3/8 inches long Bolster ½ inch; to be riveted to plates with two iron rivets; the Shackle to be made of copper wire, No. 11 gauge, same size and shape as that of the Standard Pattern, and riveted with brass wire. The Blade, Tin Opener, and Marline Spike to be firmly riveted in, and to bear makers name on tangs.”

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Jean-Jacques