Knife identification

Level headed · Post by **Level headed** » Mon May 23, 2016 2:20 am

Hello everyone. What can you guys tell me about this knife? After doing some research I have found many that are similar but have yet to find one that looks exactly the same.

The main blade reads I-XL Wostenholm Sheffield
The reverse side of the main blade is dated 1939
The marlin spike also has a Canadian broad arrow stamped in it.

jerryd6818 · Post by **jerryd6818** » Mon May 23, 2016 2:56 am

Welcome to AAPK. Glad to have you aboard.

I-XL Wostenholm Sheffield is of course the maker's mark. That's not a Canadian knife. The broad arrow is the British broad arrow (Reference chart below) and means the knife belonged to Great Britain. Thought by some to be the inspectors mark, the broad arrow was actually an ownership mark. The knife is usually referred to as a British Army Knife. The drawings are a little bit crude but good enough to get the idea. That's the first one I've seen that early.

Level headed · Post by **Level headed** » Mon May 23, 2016 4:02 am

Well that explains my confusion. I was wondering why a British knife would have a Canadian broad arrow

thanks for the response!

Just found this while doing some research of my own

"This pattern of Jack Knife/Clasp Knife was standard British Army issue from the late 1930's until the early 1950's. It features a marlinspike and can-opener, in addition to the blade. The grip 'scales' are made of Bexoid. This particular knife comes with a copper shackel which they stopped using from 1941/42 due to the importance of copper as a war material. All the shackles on their knives were steel thereafter. Also interesting to note is that the end spring on one side extends past the bolster to be used as a crude screw driver."

jerryd6818 · Post by **jerryd6818** » Mon May 23, 2016 10:12 am

Good additional information. Answers a question about the BAK handles I've seen speculated on a few times. Thanks for your research and posting the results here.

knife7knut · Post by **knife7knut** » Mon May 23, 2016 6:06 pm

The earliest one I have is also dated 1939 and was made by Taylor's Eye Witness. Also have one dated 1940 by Warris(whomever that may be). Have a few others including one made in Australia.Will post pics if desired.

Level headed · Post by **Level headed** » Tue May 24, 2016 12:29 am

I wouldnt mind seeing some pics. The one from 1939 in particular

knife7knut · Post by **knife7knut** » Tue May 24, 2016 2:50 am

Level headed wrote:I wouldnt mind seeing some pics. The one from 1939 in particular

Here they are.

smiling-knife · Post by **smiling-knife** » Wed May 25, 2016 12:48 pm

Nice military knives guys. That was the typical WWII pattern. The previous pattern 6353 was much longer with an older style tin opener. These first appeared in 1905 and were issued right up to the start of WWI. This Wade and Butcher knife marked with 1939 was one of the last of this pattern. The scales are buffalo horn. Showing for comparison. I hope this is of interest.