Joseph Rodgers flea market find

[Salernoslim]

Picked up this Joseph Rodgers at the flea market yesterday. I don't own any English knives but had been wanting one and was familiar with the maker(through reading) so I was glad to give the man his asking price. (Which wasn't a whole lot). I have no knife to compare it too, only looked at pics online of them. Each side of the handle has a crack but nothing is loose. The blade has been reprofiled and is about half an inch short, other than it's pretty solid. It snaps both ways and has half stops. It's about 3 3/8 inches long. There is a light blade etch also. I can clearly make out "for New England" and then underneath I can see _hal_ so I'm thinking whale maybe? Google search on New England whale turns up whale watching tours. I was hoping to get some thoughts/comments on the approximate age and on its authenticity or possible lack thereof. It's a neat knife either way. Any info or comments greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Robert

[Cutty]

Nice find Slim

That's the only info. I can provide

[Salernoslim]

Thanks Brian. I think it's pretty cool weather it's a frankenknife or the real thing. Real thing would be even better though.

[Miller Bro's]

A very early knife 1860`s at least.

The blades on these were stamped "New England Whaler", used on whaling ships the knife was originally a rope knife but the blade is worn and reshaped.

[Salernoslim]

Thanks mb. I was a little concerned when I first picked it up because the blade didn't sit all the way into the frame until I noticed that it had been reshaped and was short. I thought it had probably started its life as a sheepsfoot type blade. Thank you again for the info. Our towns flea market isn't very big so I was quite pleased to come across it.

[knife7knut]

Here's one in a little better shape.Nice find there.

[Salernoslim]

Very nice! Thanks for posting. Love seeing what ones supposed to look like. Always gets my wheels spinning on a knifes path from England, to New England, to a flea market in south florida. Love it!

[Beechtree]

^ So true Salerno,and very nice find. The kick on that old beauty is a great one. And thanks for giving and approximate date Dimitri.
K7K thats a great addition here. What beautiful stamp it has!

[Salernoslim]

Thanks beechtree. My first English knife but now I'm kinda feeling like I might need some more.

[Iron Hoarder]

Nice old one there.

[knife7knut]

Upon comparing the pictures of the two knives I believe yours may be a somewhat earlier iteration.The nail mark on mine is larger and slightly more forward on the blade intruding into the swedge and it also has the word England added to the stamp.That would have been required on a knife shipped to the USA after 1891.However knives destined for countries other than the USA or domestic consumption were not required to have the England stamped on the blade.

[Salernoslim]

I noticed the difference in the stamps as well (England) and the difference in the nail nick. Other than that almost identical besides yours being in so much better shape than mine. Those two knives could of been in the pockets of a couple guys on the same ship. Who knows? neat stuff for sure.