What do we have here?

[Mumbleypeg]

I'm in over my head and need some help with a knife I picked up today on a quick trip up north of the border (to Oklahoma). Found this at a flea market in with several other old knives, mostly junkers. This one intrigued me so I bought it. I know very little about Schatt & Morgan, or slot knives either so appreciate your help.

The master blade is stamped Schatt & Morgan Cutlery Co. Titusville, Pa. The knife has wood, probably ebony, scales which are warping and pulling away from the liner or the mark side. The back of the spoon has what appears to be a hallmark. The knife and the fork both have half-stops and strong snap but the spoon doesn't have half-stop nor does it have any snap. None have any significant play. The knife separates into two pieces, not three as some slot knives do. Master blade is pitted with patina and may have been lightly buffed. The fork pitting/ patina matches it. The spoon has no pitting but has patina similar to the other blades. The knife is dirty and had pocket lint in it. I've done nothing to it except a drop of oil on the springs which washed out some dirt. I have a theory about the knife but would like opinions from the AAPK expert knife readers.

Thanks for the help.
Ken

[cbfd]

Ken,My opinion is the master blade is not original to the knife. Bill

[btrwtr]

I agree with Bill. Frame looks European. Blade from a big folding hunter.

It would look pretty good with a better flat grind spear blade in it.

Wayne

[glennbad]

I also agree regarding the replaced blade. Look at the crude peening done on the bolster and liner side.

Still, a neat piece, I look at those slot knives all the time but never have purchased one.

[Mumbleypeg]

Thanks guys! I agree with all that's been said so far. No doubt the master blade is not original to the knife. In addition to the poor peening the blade just doesn't look right on the frame, even though it functions great as far as walk-and-talk. Whatever was done to it, it doesn't appear to have been done recently. Looks like whoever replaced the master carried the knife for some time afterword. I think the knife is old, probably late 1800 or early 1900, may be English (Sheffield?), based on what I assume may be a hallmark on the spoon handle. Have not done any testing yet but the spoon has a silver plate appearance, which is intriguing and would explain why it isn't pitted like the other blades. However, don't know anything about hallmarks myself so the mark may be something else entirely.

Hopefully someone will add their wisdom and tell me more.

Thanks.
Ken

[btrwtr]

For the hallmarks the first four are most likely the manufacturers of the spoon. E P = electro plate.

Wayne

[Mumbleypeg]

Wayne, thanks for the explanation regarding the hallmark. Did some quick research and learned electroplating process for gold and silver was patented by of couple of Englishmen in 1840. Guess at least that means the knife is newer than that!

Now I'll have to decide whether to just keep it like it is, or repair the scales and possibly the master blade. Whatever I do I'd want to keep it as near original as possible.

Ken