Care to see some really old Sheffield knives, anyone?

[toomanyknives]

Wow, those are lovely! That stag is superb!

Thanks so much Glenn! That deer did a fine job on those antlers!

[toomanyknives]

3rd picture down....can you decipher that stamp? I was looking through my Tweedale's at the 3 or 4 "Hunter" cutlers that are listed, and thought that stamp may help ID.

Thanks so much Ike. They are indeed a wonderful gift. And I do love the history associated with them.
Here is what I have come up with on my tang stamp decipher.. I have found that there is very little info
on the "Hunter" Sheffield brand from my research. I'm hoping it's much older than I think!Thanks for the help, IKE!IMG_2904.JPG

Knives marked thusly are British military issue knives. The W D stands for war department and the pheon (broad arrow) mark is the British military acceptance mark. I don't know what the 2 represents.

Wow, that's great info, Gunsil! Thank you for that. Would you have a guess at the age of the knife?

[thestretch71]

I just acquired a very old knife made in Sheffield.
Goins says it's pre civil war.
The scales are in pretty rough shape but the knife functions quite well for being 160+ years old.

The Stamp says
WRAGGS
Celebrated
Dirk Knife

[toomanyknives]

I just acquired a very old knife made in Sheffield.
Goins says it's pre civil war.
The scales are in pretty rough shape but the knife functions quite well for being 160+ years old.

DSC_0011.JPGDSC_0012.JPGDSC_0013.JPGDSC_0014.JPGDSC_0015.JPG

The Stamp says
WRAGGS
Celebrated
Dirk Knife

That's quite an heirloom, Stretch! It's in better shape that I am after just 64 years! That's a great one to have, thanks for sharing!

[edge213]

I just acquired a very old knife made in Sheffield.
Goins says it's pre civil war.
The scales are in pretty rough shape but the knife functions quite well for being 160+ years old.

DSC_0011.JPGDSC_0012.JPGDSC_0013.JPGDSC_0014.JPGDSC_0015.JPG

The Stamp says
WRAGGS
Celebrated
Dirk Knife

Very cool old knife

[thestretch71]

I just got it yesterday...
Started my research here as I always do.
Found this Sheffield thread at the top of the list.
I believe the scales may be actual ivory. I don't want to do any more damage trying to find out.
Given the age and where it's from ... Britain certainly had access to lots of Asian ivory via their colonization of India back then.
It just doesn't look quite like bone to me, but it could just be the age. And I have only ever touched real ivory once before. That was some very old broken piano key parts.
I am not finding much info for WRAGG. I should probably re-post this one in the Automatic/Switchblade group.

[toomanyknives]

I just got it yesterday...
Started my research here as I always do.
Found this Sheffield thread at the top of the list.
I believe the scales may be actual ivory. I don't want to do any more damage trying to find out.
Given the age and where it's from ... Britain certainly had access to lots of Asian ivory via their colonization of India back then.
It just doesn't look quite like bone to me, but it could just be the age. And I have only ever touched real ivory once before. That was some very old broken piano key parts.
I am not finding much info for WRAGG. I should probably re-post this one in the Automatic/Switchblade group.

Here you go, Stretch.. Maybe this will help..

https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-Ivory-from-Bone

[DM11]

Scored these the other day. They came from a family owned General store in Alabama that opened in the 1850's! They were gifted to me by the widow of the man who's great great grandfather started the general store. All three were pretty rough, but some basic rust removal and oiling made them spring back to life.

Large stag single blade is a "Hunter" Sheffield tang stamp. Still has walk and talk, and good lock-up. Missing the bail.

Medium Congress is a Joseph Rodger's and Sons #6 Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Cutler's to His Majesty. All blades still walk and talk, and lock-up well.

Smaller Congress is a George Wostenholm I*XL All blades have great walk and talk and lock-up.

All the knives sharpened up beautifully, and over 100 years later, still do what a knife is supposed to do. It never ceases to amaze me how well these old knives were made! Thought y'all might like to see them..IMG_2881.JPGIMG_2882.JPGIMG_2897.JPGIMG_2892.JPGIMG_2890.JPGIMG_2888.JPGIMG_2883.JPGIMG_2884.JPGIMG_2885.JPGIMG_2886.JPG

[toomanyknives]

Scored these the other day. They came from a family owned General store in Alabama that opened in the 1850's! They were gifted to me by the widow of the man who's great great grandfather started the general store. All three were pretty rough, but some basic rust removal and oiling made them spring back to life.

Large stag single blade is a "Hunter" Sheffield tang stamp. Still has walk and talk, and good lock-up. Missing the bail.

Medium Congress is a Joseph Rodger's and Sons #6 Norfolk Street, Sheffield. Cutler's to His Majesty. All blades still walk and talk, and lock-up well.

Smaller Congress is a George Wostenholm I*XL All blades have great walk and talk and lock-up.

All the knives sharpened up beautifully, and over 100 years later, still do what a knife is supposed to do. It never ceases to amaze me how well these old knives were made! Thought y'all might like to see them..IMG_2881.JPGIMG_2882.JPGIMG_2897.JPGIMG_2892.JPGIMG_2890.JPGIMG_2888.JPGIMG_2883.JPGIMG_2884.JPGIMG_2885.JPGIMG_2886.JPG

Thanks David!

[cudgee]

All three together..IMG_2899.JPG

Wow, that single blade stag is a beautiful old Lambsfoot. Very rare in that condition.

[wiseguy]

Neat old Wragg there, yes the handles are ivory. I sent you a message with some information about it.

I just acquired a very old knife made in Sheffield.
Goins says it's pre civil war.
The scales are in pretty rough shape but the knife functions quite well for being 160+ years old.

DSC_0011.JPGDSC_0012.JPGDSC_0013.JPGDSC_0014.JPGDSC_0015.JPG

The Stamp says
WRAGGS
Celebrated
Dirk Knife

[toomanyknives]

All three together..IMG_2899.JPG

Wow, that single blade stag is a beautiful old Lambsfoot. Very rare in that condition.

Thanks Cudgee! It has had a tough life, but is hangin' in pretty well.

[peanut740]

Wostenholm IXL.

[toomanyknives]

Wostenholm IXL.

Wow, what a beautiful knife, Roger!

[Ridgegrass]

Knives by Samuel and/or John Wragg of Sheffield are rare and expensive, at least they were a while back. I had one a little fancier than yours that was missing one scale and a tail bolster. A fellow from Connecticut bought it for the blade for $300 back in the early 2000's. It was the only one I've seen in person. Good luck with it. J.O'.