Antique French Mariner "RABAZOU" Folding Knife (Need HELP)

[Draac]

French Mariner "RABAZOU" Folding Knife

Very similar to the the last two Tarry Levigne knives I posted in this thread:
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 30&t=22773

The seller claims it's from the 19th century but that's debatable. It's old but not sure how old.

Description From Seller: From my collection, an extremely rare 19th century French mariners "RABAZOU" folding knife. Manufactured by the French Rabazou knife making company, this knife (opened) is 6 5/8" (168mm) long with a full sharp blade of 2 7/8" (74mm). The handle is a stag horn and when folded measures about 4" (100mm) long. The blade is marked RABAZOU with two sea anchors on either side and underscored with the royal purveyor’s stamp of a crown over the letter R. It opens and closes smoothly and snaps well when locked open. The keeper ring needs to be pulled to unlock the blade and fold it back into the handle.. This very rare knife is in excellent condition - you’d be hard pressed to find a better one or any other one like it at all for that matter.

Questions: I can not find anything on the internet about this company "RABAZOU". Does anyone have any info on this company or a book on old French knives that they could look it up for me ? Age ? Rare ? I though for sure I could fine the maker's mark on this site but, no go ! http://www.couteaux-jfl.com/marques.htm

Update: An Email From The Seller: I emailed the seller for leads on where to find info on this knife. His reply was: When acquired over 40 yrs ago from a collector, I was told this knife was 19th C. French. That "RABAZOU" was the manufacture and that the anchors w/ royal purveyor stamp licensed its high quality. Although I did find the knife manufacture listed in a published registry of 19th & 18th C. French knife manufactures, I don't recall the literary source. I've never found anything on the internet except back in 2009, where I saw a larger one (w/o anchors and R stamp) selling for over $1,600. I know this knife is extremely rare and in such good museum quality that it's worth much more than what you purchased it for. As a collection piece, it's a good one. I would not have sold it if my current economic situation did not require it of me. Thanks!


Thank you,

Draac

PS: NEW Photos, this knife is almost mint shape !

[Draac]

I received the knife and added new photos if they help to get some info on this knife maker.
This knife is almost mint condition, an amazing piece !

Draac

[tjmurphy]

Hey Draac, nice knife. You might search here: http://www.couteaux-jfl.com/boite_a_outils.htm Hope this helps.

[stancaiman]

it's not a mariner knife, just the mark of the maker who named Rabazou - he was knife maker in the Chatellerault city - you're knive has been made in the XIX century