Henry Sears 1865 With "S 1900" Tang Stamp - Any Info/Ideas?

[herbva]

I recently picked up this single blade, all metal Henry Sears 1865 that has "S 1900" stamped on the pile side of the blade tang. Any ideas or information about what the "S 1900" stands for? Perhaps a date? Interestingly, there is a nearly identical knife for sale in the Sanders Knives AAPK store which has the "1900" stamp on the pile side of the tang, but not the "S" part that mine has. The thick metal handle scales/liners appear to be an alloy, perhaps nickel silver?

[Gunsil]

I don't have the answer Herb, just a guess. Henry Sears & Sons 1865 was just a brand name of Farwell, Ozmun, & Kirk as I'm sure you know. They had Henry Sears 1865 knives made by a myriad of manufacturers over time. I would venture that 1900 is the model number and perhaps the S is for stainless. I do know conjecture is useless but S for stainless seems like a good guess. If it is stainless it would be made after about 1920 since stainless was not invented until 1916 and not available until after WW1. Have you checked handle with a magnet?

[herbva]

I don't have the answer Herb, just a guess. Henry Sears & Sons 1865 was just a brand name of Farwell, Ozmun, & Kirk as I'm sure you know. They had Henry Sears 1865 knives made by a myriad of manufacturers over time. I would venture that 1900 is the model number and perhaps the S is for stainless. I do know conjecture is useless but S for stainless seems like a good guess. If it is stainless it would be made after about 1920 since stainless was not invented until 1916 and not available until after WW1. Have you checked handle with a magnet?

Hi Gene. I should have thought to check, the handle scales are definitely non-magnetic, so I assume this strengthens my nickel-silver hunch. Thanks for the input and best regards.

[stockman]

The “S” looks added by a owner to me. Harold

[herbva]

The “S” looks added by a owner to me. Harold

Harold, I had that thought too when I first looked at it. But, why just add an "S", and in that spot? Oh well, you can't always solve all mysteries.

[stockman]

The “S” looks added by a owner to me. Harold

Harold, I had that thought too when I first looked at it. But, why just add an "S", and in that spot? Oh well, you can't always solve all mysteries.

I don’t know, but I do know the S. is way different stamp than anything else on the knife.

[Froe]

Maybe “S” for Spey?
Froe