very old (?) knife

[beresman]

I am finally getting a few knives worked on, after a bit of a hiatus, and I found this--I honestly don't remember where I got it (but I'm sure it was in a grouping of knives). It looks very old to me. Handles are bone. Liners and bolsters are integral, made of steel. There is no spacer between the blades. The spring appears to be a single piece (I can't see a seam at the fixed end, even with a 20x loupe). Both blades have a half stop, but the snap is very loose, and there's a lot of wobble in the blades.

I do see that the blade pivot appears to be brass. No self-respecting knife maker would have done that, I would think, so it seems likely that the knife was re-assembled at some point. That, of course, leads to the possibility that the blades are not original, although they otherwise seem to fit properly.

It's obviously in quite rough shape, and not a candidate for repair. However, it seems to me that it has some historical value--I just don't know what! Obviously someone thought it should be worth $100 at some point, but that sticker means nothing to me.

So my question is this: does anyone want to hazard a guess as to what/when/who/where? And is there anything you would do with it, other than putting it out as a display?

[doglegg]

Well used but still attractive with lots
of character love the handles. I look forward as to what you might or might not do to it.

[Ridgegrass]

My best guesswould be British, 1850's-19teens. I have quite a few old Brits with integral, rat-tailed bolsters. It also appears to have a split backspring without a divider. The handles are cattle or sheep's horn. Maybe the blades are replacements but the tangs look right for then. How do they fit in the open position? No trace of a mark anywhere ? Too bad, but it's still a nice old survivor. Good luck with it. J.O'.

[Reverand]

Wow, I wish that old survivor could talk!
I agree that it has a British look to me as well. Whether those blades are original or not, the square kicks point toward an old design, as does that split back spring which was made by a master Cutler who knew his craft!
The poor condition is a shame, but I don't blame you for getting it anyway. Old knives like that deserve better than winding up in a landfill.

[beresman]

My best guesswould be British, 1850's-19teens. I have quite a few old Brits with integral, rat-tailed bolsters. It also appears to have a split backspring without a divider. The handles are cattle or sheep's horn. Maybe the blades are replacements but the tangs look right for then. How do they fit in the open position? No trace of a mark anywhere ? Too bad, but it's still a nice old survivor. Good luck with it. J.O'.

The blades in the open position are sloppy loose--but they move around on the pivot pin--which, being brass, has probably worn considerably.

And unless it's hidden by the bolster, there's no mark on the blade or anywhere else. I looked inside the liners as well.

Wow, I wish that old survivor could talk!

Yeah, me, too! Thanks, fellas, I may get my nerve up and replace the blade pivot with steel or at least nickel. Other than that, I don't plan on making any changes to it.

[Reverand]

Of you do replace it, Brent, I would go with steel. Since it has steel bolsters, it probably had steel pins too. Find a nail the correct size and you will be good to go!