Maher & Grosh Barehead Jack

[kootenay joe]

Here is a 3 1/2" barehead jack with single spearpoint blade, half stop, enclosed backspring and 2 brass slot screws in each wood handle. Tang is marked "Maher & Grosh".
Is this a legitimate M & G knife made by Miller Bros likely around 1900 ?
It looks o.k. to me but i have no other knives with screws in handle pieces.
thanks for the help,
kj

[peanut740]

The knife is correct.It also has a covered backspring. Made by Miller Brothers.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks. I did mention "enclosed backspring".
What about age ? I have read that M.B. stopped using screws on the handles fairly early on, thus making this knife one of the 'older' M.B.
kj

[peanut740]

Hard to say,but it is likely pre1910.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks. This then is my first 'older' Miller Bros. knife.
kj

[ratlesnake75]

Hey Roland, You picked up a smashing Maher!! I was also watching that knife recently and so was several of me knife buddies. We all were talking about it... Great SNAG my friend. The more Mahers you get,,,The more APPRECIATION you will have for them and their Quality. I have found that I enjoy the Maher & Grosh w/out the Toledo marking more so,,,not that I dont like the ones stamped w/ Toledo,,,I just have found that the earlier models are Pre-Toledo stamped IMHO.
Kind Regards,
Mark

[peanut740]

Hey Roland, You picked up a smashing Maher!! I was also watching that knife recently and so was several of me knife buddies. We all were talking about it... Great SNAG my friend. The more Mahers you get,,,The more APPRECIATION you will have for them and their Quality. I have found that I enjoy the Maher & Grosh w/out the Toledo marking more so,,,not that I dont like the ones stamped w/ Toledo,,,I just have found that the earlier models are Pre-Toledo stamped IMHO.
Kind Regards,
Mark

Not true.This is the earliest I have.It was used in the 1 80's and according to Pete Cohan the former curator of the National Knife Museum it was their oldest mark.It is hard to know for sure what the oldest is because of the different makers etc.But I have this stamp on several knives that have the deep stamped Maher & Grosh Razor Steel on the blade.

[ratlesnake75]

Hey Roger, AHAHAHAH I stand to be corrected as both stampings go back to the 1870s 1880s.
Kind Regards,
Mark

[ratlesnake75]

Hey Roger, Could we conclude that the older Maher knives had a DEEP ETCHING instead of the later Ink etches?? Could this be one way of indicating an older example from the 1800's period? Thanks for your time
Kind Regards,
Mark

[peanut740]

Mark,I don't know if it that is absolute or not,but that one's I have with the deep stamped blades have the arched Maher & Grosh over Toledo O.I believe those pre-dawn acid etched.The inked on etch is very late in the life of the original M&G company(c1960-70's.

[ratlesnake75]

Hey Roger, That is very interesting and I appreciate the info sharing on this brand. I LOVE M&G knives especially their Etches!! They are just killer man
Kind Regards,
Mark