Eendracht maakt macht

[Herman]

Good day,

I recently found a knife, would like to know more about it if anyone has got any information regarding this knife. It's an old South African knife, with Kruger and De Wet's faces on the one side and Orange Vrijst and Transvaal on the other side. Not too sure about the blade and whether its the original blades or not, cant seem to find any information regarding the blades on the net, the names on the blade is Friedr.Olbertz and on the other side it says Solingen Germany Stainless - can anybody please provide me with more information about the first production on these knifes and how can I identify an original from a copy, because I've got another one that's similar without details on the blade.

Regards Herman

[knife7knut]

Welcome to the forum!
Frederich Olbertz began in 1915 and is still in business today.They make both folding and fixed blade knives for many companies mostly for export to other countries.There is a website that can provide a translation for what is stamped on the knife handle;you just need to know what language it is.
From it's appearance I would judge that it was likely made sometime in the 1930's but that is just a guess.Knowing who the people are may help date the knife.I thought Kruger was associated with Rhodesia but I'm not that good on history.

[jerryd6818]

Looks like this might match up with your knife and provide a little more information. http://southafricanmedals.com/index.php ... t&Itemid=1

Christiaan Rudolf de Wet (7 October 1854 – 3 February 1922) was a Boer general, rebel leader and politician. He was born on the Leeuwkop farm, in the district of Smithfield in the Boer Republic of the Orange Free State. He later resided at Dewetsdorp, named after his father, Jacobus Ignatius de Wet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiaan_de_Wet


Paul Kruger, President of the Transvaal Republic 1883-1900 (technically 1902), was born in Colesberg, Cape Colony, on the 10th of October 1825. Died: 14-Jul-1904
http://www.nndb.com/people/247/000117893/



"Eendracht maakt macht" is Dutch and is the national motto of Belgium. It means "Unity makes strength".


Edit: Did a little research on Stainless Steel and it doesn't look like it was patented until the teens (1919) and wasn't called Stainless Steel until the late '20s or early '30s. Someone may know more about that than I do.

[Colonel666]

That's a sweetie for sure... go to this site for more info: www.cutlery-shop.com then choose the "knives/knife blocks/cutlery" option at top of the page. Scroll down and choose the "Schlieper pocketknives Solingen,Germany" option.

[Herman]

Thank you for all your responses, glad to hear that it's got historical value, if I wanted to sell it, in your opinion how much is it worth?

[Colonel666]

Priceless. It's end-market for sure. At least $30, w/free shipping, so it's a keeper!