Knife ID WB & CO

[Frequency]

I'm a new guy so if I am in the wrong forum blast away! I have a very interesting "Camper" style knife that is nicely made and seemingly pretty old. I have searched for the name on the blade stamp WB & CO to no avail. Is this just an old dime store knife,or is there some history here?

[nifenut]

I am not the one to help with identifying the maker. I don't see it listed in Levine's, but there are many others in this forum that will likely be able to help you.

I just wanted to say how much I like your quote.

[Pen & Toothpick]

It's not in Goins' either. If you can post a picture it would help.

Welcome!

[knife7knut]

Without a picture it would be difficult to say for sure but it might be Wester Brothers.Looking forward to seeing a picture and welcome to the forum.

[Umcknifeguy]

Im not for sure what W&B could be but a guess it could also be Wester & Butz. Dont quote me on it though

[rangerbluedog]

Just a wild guess: W. BINGHAM & Co. ?

[tjmurphy]

Here is a WB Co. on an old military mess kit. Doesn't say who WB is. Is the knife a single, fixed blade with aluminum handle and a large hole on the handle end?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-WWI-US-Mes ... 35a88a3adf

[greyelm]

Does this link throw any light on the subject?


http://www.roseantiquetools.com/id5.html

[Frequency]

Hey Guys thanks for all the research. I finally got around to shooting a picture of the knife. Now I have to go read the how to on getting the picture on here for you.

[Frequency]

OK, hopefully this will work..............

[Treasure Trawler]

I've been researching this tang stamp I posted the other day. Do you guys think this could be same tang as mine?

[knife7knut]

Found a listing for a William Brokhahne that merged with Weibusch . Only problem is the W.B. stamp dates to no later than 1906 and that knife does not look that old;although I could be wrong. The corkscrew looks hand cut which is an older feature but the can opener is a more modern style.

[Frequency]

I received an email from a guy who was looking for information on a similar knife. I had not posted the info I had found so here it is. As near as I can tell it is from William Brokhahne, WB & Co. New York. My research on it's origin has resulted in this: I am fairly certain that it was made somewhere between 1875 and 1906 because the company produced knives during that time. Process of elimination would place it closer to the turn of the century, I have found nothing definitive for a date of manufacture.

[gsmith7158]

Thought I remembered some info about caplifters not being on knives until 1911 since that's when bottle caps were invented.

[Frequency]

Thought I remembered some info about caplifters not being on knives until 1911 since that's when bottle caps were invented.

Easy enough to check on, from Wikipedia:
The crown cork was patented by William Painter on February 2, 1892 (U.S. Patent 468,258). It had 24 teeth[citation needed] and a cork seal with a paper backing to prevent contact between the contents and the metal cap. The current version has 21 teeth. To open these bottles, a bottle opener is generally used.

The height of the crown cap was reduced and specified in the German standard DIN 6099 in the 1960s. This also defined the "twist-off" crown cap, now used in the United States, Canada, and Australia. This cap is pressed around screw threads instead of a flange, and can be removed by twisting the cap by hand, eliminating the need for an opener.

[gsmith7158]

I stand corrected. 1892 patent would put your knife right there at the turn f the century.