A.W. Bradshaw & Sons Germany 1856-1860 knife

[raincrowe]

I would like to show a small knife that according to Goin's book was made 1856-1860 by this German import company
Both blades are stamped on one side..... A.W. Bradshaw Germany (not curved)....backside Maltese Cross with four dots
The handles look to be of a marbled bakelite material...... this knife is small 2.75" closed
This knife is a good quality piece let me know what you think
More information would be helpful...
Thanks

[Gtrclktr-351]

Can't help with further info about the knife, but that is one nice OLD knife.

[raincrowe]

Thank you!!...It's very nice for being that old...At first I thought it was a A.W. Wadsworth but couldn't find the trademark the Maltese Cross
then discovered that it was A.W. Bradshaw & sons both are German import knives...Lol
Raincrowe

[tongueriver]

Looks like celluloid to me. I don't think celluloid was used on knives until 1870ish or even a little later. Meanwhile, "Germany" was not generally stamped on imported knives until legislation required 'country of origin' in the 1890s. A charming little knife. I would guess 1900 to 1920 but that is just my guess.

[Ridgegrass]

Bakelite wasn't invented until 1909 by Leo Baekeland. First commercial use of celluloid was 1872. Still a pretty knife and the handles are in good shape for their age. J.O'.

[Gunsil]

I agree with Cal. Goins isn't always correct. Celluloid wasn't really used until the 1870s and bakelite wasn't invented until 1907. Most pre 1900 knives made in what we call Germany today were marked Prussia if they had a country of origin on them. Cool old knife but I also think early 1900s.

[raincrowe]

Yeah that was the first thing I did question? I knew that the country was stamped 1890 and after; but I thought maybe for some unknown
reason it could have been used earlier...About the Celluloid and Bakelite I had no knowledge of when they were invented or what the makes them different.
I looked at another book.... Blades guide to knives & their values 7th edition edited by Steve Shackleford on Pg.61...whom lists the knife
A.W. Bradshaw & Sons Germany; import brand; date 1900 with medium value
Goins also stated that the stamp was curved and this one is not..
I would to thank everyone for the great knowledge and help as always

[raincrowe]

I'm sending another attachment pg 61
Raincrowe