John Watts knife enquiries

[Telfer]

I have recently acquired a John Watts knife just because I like It for a project I am making. Can anybody help date and till me any information about it?
It is a Vintage Pocket Folding Knife and written on the butt of the blade is .
"John Watts
Sheffield"

but it does not have England written on it.

[Ridgegrass]

John Watts, Sheffield, Some were marked, "ESTB.1765" but Levine says the company was in business 1855-1990's, maybe still around.? No way I know of to date it other than it's a bartender's knife and they've been popular for over 100 years. Nice old piece. J.O'.

[Telfer]

thank you

[Mumbleypeg]

The U.S. Tariff Act of 1890 required items imported into the U.S. for sales purposes be marked with their country of origin. Your knife is therefor likely pre-1890.

(FYI in 1965 the customs act required items made in the U.S.A. also be marked with country of origin.)

Ken

[Telfer]

thank you Ken

Is that a bottle opener or maybe it's a Tin can open on the end of the knife. I'm asking because I found inflammation that the first form of crown bottle cap, was invented by William Painter in 1892 in Baltimore. But Tin Cans where invented 1810.
Either way I thinking we are looking at a time of about the end of the 18th century
unless the handle is made out of stainless steel which would means it must be made after 1913.
The knife is currently being posted to me and I'm hoping I will learn more when it arrives.

[Mumbleypeg]

Looks like a cap lifter to me. Maybe "Sheffield" was enough to pass the import marking requirement. Or possibly it was purchased overseas and carried to the U.S. by the buyer in their pocket or luggage.

Ken

[Gunsil]

Knives made in England that are not meant for export to the US do not need to have "England" on the blade. Knife looks pretty modern to me.

[Telfer]

hey thanks guys for help.
I am now thinking this bartenders knife was made around the 1920s.
The export requirements to the US of having country of orange printed on the blade is possibly circumvented is I live in New Zealand which was then install this now a British colonial country.

For we are yet to have our "Boston tea party" independence.

[Mumbleypeg]

That likely explains it.

Ken