Old Boker Find

[deo-pa]

I picked up this Boker miniature (1-1/2") with bone handles at an auction for $5. Based on the tang stamp shown below it is German and dates from the 1870s or so. I have about 30 miniatures but this is by far the oldest.

[btrwtr]

Very nice! Handles look like they could be ivory.

Wayne

[deo-pa]

Interesting Wayne. I'm new to knives and I assumed they were bone based on photos I've seen. Is there a way to tell? Maybe the grain of the material at high magnification, or some such thing?

[deo-pa]

Since your post Wayne I've been reading about how to distinguish the two. You may well be right, as under high magnification I cannot see any of the pores used to carry blood and which apparently darken, giving bone small spots of dark color.

[dcgm4]

Cool find! I agree with Wayne. The scales look like ivory to me.

[btrwtr]

Ivory will usually show a grain with concentric lines of varying colors of cream, yellow and white. I'm pretty sure your knife is ivory. Not unusual to see a knife of this type and age with ivory scales. Ivory in a much better, collectible handle material than smooth bone in my opinion.

Wayne

[Miller Bro's]

Ivory

[deo-pa]

Thank you gentlemen... ivory it is.

Dennis

[Beechtree]

What a very fine old miniature. Thanks for posting it Dennis.