Hilger & Sons

[FRJ]

Hilger & Sons. 2 7/8" closed.

According to Goins' this stamp was used between 1858 - 1864.

This is a very well made and very snappy tuxedo. With a few issues.

Thanks for looking.

[deo-pa]

I can't quite tell what I'm seeing FRJ. Looks like the dark handle might be ebony. Is the mottled handle something different or is it also ebony but has been stained/bleached by contact with something? Or maybe the handles are something else entirely?

Dennis

[FRJ]

I can't quite tell what I'm seeing FRJ. Looks like the dark handle might be ebony. Is the mottled handle something different or is it also ebony but has been stained/bleached by contact with something? Or maybe the handles are something else entirely? Dennis

Thank you, Dennis.
I believe both sides are tortoise.

[LongBlade]

Nice old knife Joe ... I find pile side tortoise shell is sometimes like bone or wood handled knives in that the old hafters would put the nicer handle covers on the mark side - I’ve seen tortoise shell without the clear markings..

Joe - Did they put gold foil under the mark side tortoise shell ? That was often done and a Clements Knife I posted here shows the foil pretty well underneath the tortoise... never realized many cutlers highlighted the tortoise with gold foil and don’t think all did it but it is a nice touch ..

[FRJ]

Thanks Lee, I looked at the seam where the covers and the liners meet and I don't see any evidence of any material between the two but in spite of washing the thing when I got it here it is pretty grungy in all areas. Hard to tell but I think not.

[danno50]

Lovely tuxedo, Joe! Looks in good shape for a knife that old. I really like the tortoise shell!

[FRJ]

Thanks, Dan.

[michaelspayth]

Only have one Hilger & Sons. It's in pretty rough shape and could use some heavy tlc.. It's came a long way from the condition it was in when I got it though. Love the stamps on the secondary blades.

[FRJ]

That is a great looking old knife, Michaelspayth.
I wish we could see more of the knife. It doesn't matter what the condition is, we love 'em all.
Could you show us both sides with the blades open? How long is it closed?

Welcome here Michaelspayth.
Thanks for showing your very old knife.

[michaelspayth]

Thanks! Most of the knives that I buy are in far from perfect condition but I really enjoy cleaning and reviving them. The process allows me to get familiar with all of the knives that I have. Even now, with several hundred knives in my collection, I would be able to sit down and make a list of all of them, including whatever defects or special features each one has..

Here's one pic with all of the blades out. Can take one of the other side and post it once I get home.

[michaelspayth]

That is a great looking old knife, Michaelspayth.
I wish we could see more of the knife. It doesn't matter what the condition is, we love 'em all.
Could you show us both sides with the blades open? How long is it closed?

Welcome here Michaelspayth.
Thanks for showing your very old knife.

[FRJ]

Thank you for the pictures, michaelspayth.
I assume your knife had a spear blade and a pipe cleaner along with the manicure blade and the all important corkscrew.
A very nice accessory in its day.

[New_Windsor_NY]

This arrived very recently in a group of pocket knives that I bought. This particular pocket knife was NOT the target of my purchase. It is a HILGER & SONS CELEBRATED CUTLERY, 3 blades (1 broken), 6 tang stamps total, 3" closed, whittler pocket knife. Per GOINS, "HILGER & SONS CELEBRATED c 1858-1890 Hilger & Company is first listed in the New York City Directory in 1848. They were hardware and cutlery importers, at 19 Platt Street. They became Hilger & Sons in 1858. In 1864, the firm became Wiebusch & Hilger." It needed some cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

[FRJ]

What a sad little charmer that is.
I really like that relatively long equal end pattern. Especially in a whittler.

Thank you, Skip, for showing it here.

[New_Windsor_NY]

What.....

You're welcome, Joe.

[Waukonda]

This arrived very recently in a group of pocket knives that I bought. This particular pocket knife was NOT the target of my purchase. It is a HILGER & SONS CELEBRATED CUTLERY, 3 blades (1 broken), 6 tang stamps total, 3" closed, whittler pocket knife. Per GOINS, "HILGER & SONS CELEBRATED c 1858-1890 Hilger & Company is first listed in the New York City Directory in 1848. They were hardware and cutlery importers, at 19 Platt Street. They became Hilger & Sons in 1858. In 1864, the firm became Wiebusch & Hilger." It needed some cleaning. I took some pictures and here it is.
Caption(s), if any, are on the BOTTOM of the corresponding picture(s).
Click on a picture to ENLARGE.

I like that knife, Skip!

[ObsidianEdge]

I've had this Hilger & Sons for a while now. Hadn't see any others until this thread. Hard for me to get good pics of the scales. Secondary blades are stamped on both sides, middle liner is coined.

[Waukonda]

Wow, Mike!

[ObsidianEdge]

Thanks Ike! My bad pics do not do it justice.

[FRJ]

We don't see this stamp very often. Someone will have to show a very special knife to out do that one, Mike.
That is a real beauty.
It's nice to see it in this thread.
Thank you.

[New_Windsor_NY]

I.....

Thank you, Ike.

[ObsidianEdge]

Thanks Joe That tuxedo you posted is a looker!

[GringoBombero]

Just got this one! Such a beauty! It's a bummer about the main blade

[FRJ]

Just got this one! Such a beauty! It's a bummer about the main blade

You're right, GringoBombero, it is a beauty.
Rarely do we see this stamp.
At least it's under good care now.

Thanks for the show.

[Miller Bro's]

I've had this Hilger & Sons for a while now. Hadn't see any others until this thread. Hard for me to get good pics of the scales. Secondary blades are stamped on both sides, middle liner is coined.

I like everything about that one!