Ivory quill with G. then crown R Patent?

[GerryD]

Heres a little ivory quill knife. Its just about 3 1/4" long and the blades are just under 1 1/2" long. It has ivory scales and brass liner and has spring blades. There is a mark on both blade tang of " G crown R" and the word "Patent" under the GR.
I can't find a "Patent" in my reference books or on the net other than what it means.

[knife7knut]

Gerry: Bernard Levine's book lists the stamping G (crown)R as being prior to 1830 in regard to King George II;III;and IV and from 1910 to 1952 in regard to George V and VII. He differentiates the two by the early one being a hand cut stamp(which yours appears to be)versus a modern stamp(which I assume to mean a machine made one).I think the former is the case here and you have one helluva knife! Thanks for posting it!

[knife7knut]

Gerry: Bernard Levine's book lists the stamping G (crown)R as being prior to 1830 in regard to King George II;III;and IV and from 1910 to 1952 in regard to George V and VII. He differentiates the two by the early one being a hand cut stamp(which yours appears to be)versus a modern stamp(which I assume to mean a machine made one).I think the former is the case here and you have one helluva knife! Thanks for posting it!
EDIT: Does the nail mark have a match striker edge to it? Looks like it from the pictures.

[btrwtr]

Beautiful little Knife!

[edge213]

That is a very interesting knife.

[LongBlade]

Awesome quill knife ... definitely look like quill blades on each end but just wonder if it was also considered a small pen knife for general use... No doubt GcrownR in that offset hand set way appears to be at the latest 1830 and most likely earlier...

If you don't mind me sharing a few of mine that remind me of your beauty - here is an old tortoise shell with silver band mid handle and gilted bolster quill with GcrownR dating back like your own (also on mine I can't quite make out the name which is different - looks like "Fatery?" on mine... I had heard some of these names stamped under those crown markings were retailers that may have also been in London...

Here is a Vcrown R (Queen Victoria) stamp on a quill with a coping blade that would make it approx 1830-1901 - but note the handle which is also fluted like yours in a similar ivory I believe (and still can't quite make out the full name under VcrownR):

[Beechtree]

Lovely little pen knife Gerry! That is a unique one. LB is correct, this would be the pre-1830 (George I, II or III, likely the later)
Thanks for sharing that little gem.

Also, LB that is a lovely quill knife. It looks like the stamp actually might say Patent (like Gerry's knife)?

G Crown R with Patent would not have been a makers mark, simply a mark stating that it was the king George's patent (i.e. the old use of the word patent, the knife being made or marketed under the kings authority)

[FRJ]

Beautiful knives, guys.

[GerryD]

knife7knut Thanks for you input, the blade hasn’t got a match striker but the gunstock that I’ve added does have. Its one of those knives I can’t track down the maker even though it’s got a very clear and distinct mark any thoughts would be appreciated. The other is unusual in that the paper folder does sort of fold away.
Longblade I think the blade are very small for general work but who knows? Your knives are very nice and one has very similar scales. I’ve got a few knives that have lead me a merry dance only to turn out to have a retailers mark not a maker.
I’ve added this link that another forum shared with me. http://theshiveringbeggar.com/2013/09/t ... -monarchs/

Gerry

[GerryD]

Well I thought I'd looked in Levine but I cant find any reference to the crown marks. Which book are you guys looking in?
Gerry

[knife7knut]

Well I thought I'd looked in Levine but I cant find any reference to the crown marks. Which book are you guys looking in?
Gerry

The one I looked in was I believe the 2nd edition copyrighted 1985.It is on page 24 under the heading:"Marking Technology"
That quill knife with the folding "folding bone" is spectacular! First one I've ever seen that folds. Here are two that I have that have puzzled me for years.The pearl one is marked,"YOULE" and nothing else. The other one with the tortoise handles and ivory folding bone is marked,"TOOTHILL" with a V crown R.

[GerryD]

Ah found it page 20 in my book also 2nd edition? Not too much to go on i think the link is better.
Gerry

[GerryD]

There is a Robert Toothill listed in Geoffrey Tweedale's book, he was working in 1833 . It looks like he had a colourful life selling various knives and scissors, he appeared before Doncaster magistrates in 1867 for selling Stan hopes with a "crossly filthy nature" according to the Sheffield Independant.
Theres also a Henry Youle listed for 1856 was in partnership with Henry untill 1861 and there after became Henry Youle and son.

Gerry

[knife7knut]

There is a Robert Toothill listed in Geoffrey Tweedale's book, he was working in 1833 . It looks like he had a colourful life selling various knives and scissors, he appeared before Doncaster magistrates in 1867 for selling Stan hopes with a "crossly filthy nature" according to the Sheffield Independant.
Theres also a Henry Youle listed for 1856 was in partnership with Henry untill 1861 and there after became Henry Youle and son.

Gerry

Gerry:Thank you so much for that information;I may have to search for Tweedale's book.The one's you quoted could very well be the makers.The V crown R timeline (1837-1901)fits perfectly.

[GerryD]

knife7knut do you go on the Britishblades forum? Theres a member on there who visits Stan Shaw and Geoffrey Tweedale and he would be able to source a copy for you but get your big bucks ready its not cheap certainly not the price I told my wife!!!!!!
Gerry

[knife7knut]

knife7knut do you go on the Britishblades forum? Theres a member on there who visits Stan Shaw and Geoffrey Tweedale and he would be able to source a copy for you but get your big bucks ready its not cheap certainly not the price I told my wife!!!!!!
Gerry

Thanks for the info! I think a good friend of mine has a copy of the book so I might pay him a visit soon.

[Miller Bro's]

The other is unusual in that the paper folder does sort of fold away.Gerry

OMG, that is not supposed to fold! It's broken!

[GerryD]

Miller Bros OMG, that is not supposed to fold! It's broken! Cant work out how to paste the quote but hay ho.

I don't think so there's a pin through the brass liner and through the folder, if it were broken it would have fallen out by know I think.

Gerry