John S.Hollar pocket knife

[Kniferosity57]

I found an interesting small pocket knife from a brand I hadn’t personally ever heard of: John S. Holler, The Tower brand from Germany. It has real mother of pearl scales and a pair of scissors highly reminiscent of what comes on Swiss Army knives. I looked up the brand and they supposedly stopped making knives in 1906 making this one 114 years old at least. It appears to be well made, very similar to modern knives. I found it with a tiny little companion also with MOP scales. Can any one comment on collectablity, or value?

[Kniferosity57]

Sorry here’s another photo

[Kniferosity57]

First timer

[Mountain Man Knives]

J.A. Henckel's made a similar Sportsman's Pocket Knife similar frame pattern except theirs had a nail-file and a corkscrew along with the toothpick and tweezers in stag being No. 1103 ST and MOP being the 1103 P they also had one in Gun-Metal being the No. 1103 GM it was valued at $150.00 in the eighties - Page 240 - Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values - No J. Holler was found to be Mentioned in this Book - I would put at least a $150 Value on it being so OLD and Mother of Pearl and the Blades look Decent ~ It's hard to next to impossible to find a Printed Value on any Knives without having a Value Guide Specifically Covering Sportsman Type Knives like the one you Have -- Chances of Holler Name being listed would be Better ~ Levine's - Price, Voyles, Sargent's and other Guides - Might be someone out their that will come along with more Knowledge on it than I have - My opinion is merely based on what I have seen others asking for similar Knives of age and Handle Material - MMK

[kootenay joe]

I collect vintage German pocket knives.
John S. Holler was an importer of German & British knives in NYC from 1867 to 1905.
Your knife is likely closer to the 1905 end. Not possible to ID manfacturer as there were well over 100 cutlery manufacturers in Solingen Germany in 1900. Holler did import good quality knives from the ones i have owned.
The value is not much when compared to a USA knife of same age. There are far fewer collectors of German knives than of American knives. Pearl handle Gent's style multiblade is in the range of $40-$70 max, sometimes less.
kj

[peanut740]

Not much demand for small pearl handles knives.Yours has condition issues,plus being German works against it.$30-40 on a good day.

[Kniferosity57]

It does say Germany on it. The Tower. I like it regardless of value. What about the miniature? It too has genuine MOP scales, and magnified Dems well made for what I assume was a novelty item. It’s tiny: about an inch closed, 1 3/4 opened. The guy I bought these from said they were always together, but I doubt the miniature is the same brand.

[Kniferosity57]

A photo of the miniature

[Kniferosity57]

I just had someone tell me the miniature is a charm bracelet charm.

[FRJ]

Kniferosity57, your pen knife with scissors is a great knife regardless of monetary value.
The scissors still have their spring and the steel they used from the tang to that half of the scissors was a chunk.
Also, the spring comes around into the blade well on that side. Nice.
The tangs look thick on that knife.

[Mountain Man Knives]

Well there is a lot of information for you Kniferosity - I remember when mother of pearl was a rare commodity that always got those thrill and awes out of whomever it was shown too because it was so RARE to Possess......of-coarse ever since the internet and market place I guess everything has become less rare in a hurry and a whole lot easier to obtain it, makes and puts a lot of things on the back-burners of whats deemed Valuable - as well as the comment about being made in Germany since they were once and have been some of the best cutlers in the world and a lot of the knife-makers today that have been established here in the U.S. back in the Days had migrated from there and afar other places - I guess when we think about it - America and every Single Person in It, except for some Native Americans of-coarse that have always been here have come from somewhere other than here - If we were to all trace our Ancestral Tree and Roots that is - Makes me want to do 23 and Me just to see what they Say - I knew you would get the Info you were looking for.......this is a Great Site lots of Kind People all with the Same Passions - Old Vintage Collectible Knives - MMK

[Kniferosity57]

The spring still has its bluing on it too. Most of the dark spots on the steel wiped of with a little thumb grease. Thank everyone for their very kind and useful comments!

[kootenay joe]

100 or more years ago Germany was making a great many pearl 'Gent's' type pocket knives. Quite a few came to USA and some still show up on ebay.
Even though most are very well made even those in unused condition usually sell rather low, especially when compared with vintage USA knives.
I think this makes collecting vintage German folding knives a good focus for those just getting into knife collecting. Your outlay of cash is not all that great and you learn how to spot the better made knives, of any origin.
kj