All About Pocket Knives

petekuhn wrote: ↑Sun Jan 12, 2025 11:53 pm Ciphered blades like this are are mostly done 1840s to 1850s The wr crown mark was still used by Wragg on this one so I think this dates to right after the Mexican war since it has old Zack in the ciphered blade. I have never seen this tang stamp on any other wragg knife

Very interesting What a great piece! ... I think trying to ascertain an obscure item's age and origin and learn more about it adds to some personal value of a piece in one's collection... at least for me. Thanks for the info. *

*Note: I used to drink unpasteurized milk, until I read about 'Ol Zack Taylor taking a few swigs on the 4th of July, 1850...

Rockingkj wrote: ↑Sun Jan 12, 2025 4:04 pm Just found this weekend. John Newton & Co.
IMG_8048.jpegIMG_8049.jpegIMG_8050.jpegIMG_8051.jpeg

Knice.

petekuhn wrote: ↑Sun Jan 12, 2025 11:35 pm IMG_3485.JPG472332098_9111202812279643_6276277108646530026_n.jpg

Cool!

petekuhn wrote: ↑Sun Jan 12, 2025 11:35 pm

Beautiful Knife, thanks for showing it

This is a large unmarked ivory handle bowie with a real nice guard. There is one kinda like it in the William R Williamson auction page 16

That's a really elaborate handle and guard!

Great find

petekuhn wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 5:23 pm This is a large unmarked ivory handle bowie with a real nice guard. There is one kinda like it in the William R Williamson auction page 16

Wow! That is just outstanding!!!!

Small , medium , and large . The Original Bowie at top is my go to knife- I pretty much always have it if I’m hunting, fishing, at farm, or in woods period. I know she’s not as pretty as she once was, but I’ve used the heck outta it. I just picked up the Pic - African Hunter recently- similar to the Puma - white hunter-(my knife fixed - hopefully 6

petekuhn wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 5:23 pm This is a large unmarked ivory handle bowie with a real nice guard. There is one kinda like it in the William R Williamson auction page 16

Pete, what book is that you are showing?

Thanks

Dullest_knife wrote: ↑Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:16 am Small , medium , and large . The Original Bowie at top is my go to knife- I pretty much always have it if I’m hunting, fishing, at farm, or in woods period. I know she’s not as pretty as she once was, but I’ve used the heck outta it. I just picked up the Pic - African Hunter recently- similar to the Puma - white hunter-(my knife fixed - hopefully 6

Knice Steel, Stag, Brass & Wood Dullest!!

Dullest_knife wrote: ↑Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:16 am Small , medium , and large . The Original Bowie at top is my go to knife- I pretty much always have it if I’m hunting, fishing, at farm, or in woods period. I know she’s not as pretty as she once was, but I’ve used the heck outta it. I just picked up the Pic - African Hunter recently- similar to the Puma - white hunter-(my knife fixed - hopefully 6

Miller Bro's wrote: ↑Wed Jan 22, 2025 10:12 pm

petekuhn wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2025 5:23 pm This is a large unmarked ivory handle bowie with a real nice guard. There is one kinda like it in the William R Williamson auction page 16

Pete, what book is that you are showing?

Thanks

The book is actually an auction catalogue from Butterfield & Butterfield auction of the Williamson bowie knife collection. Sorry I did not respond before this. Had a stroke and just got home

Pete, I am extremely sorry to learn of your stroke. That you are now at home suggests you are on the road to recovery. I pray for your complete and speedy recovery.

Enjoyed your Bowie and photos very much.

Loosely , this may be called a Bowie. But it is better called a rifleman's knife from the age of black powder. Or so I am informed..

Quick Steel wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 8:11 pm Loosely , this may be called a Bowie. But it is better called a rifleman's knife from the age of black powder. Or so I am informed.$RKA1FS6.JPG.

Very nice! Like that one a lot.

petekuhn wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 7:17 pm The book is actually an auction catalogue from Butterfield & Butterfield auction of the Williamson bowie knife collection. Sorry I did not respond before this. Had a stroke and just got home

No worries, take care of yourself first

Thanks for the info, I have a knife I just picked up that has a cutlery handle similar to the the knife on the top of the page with the dolphins.

Quick Steel wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 8:11 pm Loosely , this may be called a Bowie. But it is better called a rifleman's knife from the age of black powder. Or so I am informed.$RKA1FS6.JPG.

I like it by any name QS

Quick Steel wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 8:11 pm Loosely , this may be called a Bowie. But it is better called a rifleman's knife from the age of black powder. Or so I am informed.$RKA1FS6.JPG.

Knice lines, point, and handle on that knife QS! What brand is it!

Miller Bro's wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 11:10 pm

petekuhn wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 7:17 pm The book is actually an auction catalogue from Butterfield & Butterfield auction of the Williamson bowie knife collection. Sorry I did not respond before this. Had a stroke and just got home

No worries, take care of yourself first

Thanks for the info, I have a knife I just picked up that has a cutlery handle similar to the the knife on the top of the page with the dolphins.

Dolphin handled bowies are rare. Would love to see it

I appreciate your comments fellows.

Tony, the knife is the product of Hen & Rooster. Given its German heritage and the popularity of boar hunting,, it is not surprising that it would make an excellent blade for sticking a boar.

petekuhn wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2025 3:10 am Dolphin handled bowies are rare. Would love to see it

Ok, I'll get some photos posted tonight.

Quick Steel wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2025 4:16 am Tony, the knife is the product of Hen & Rooster. Given its German heritage and the popularity of boar hunting,, it is not surprising that it would make an excellent blade for sticking a boar.

Thanks QS! Fine looking Knife!

Here it is, unfortunately some idiot broke off the guard on one side

Any information you have on this one would be appreciated.

Joseph Law
Flayderman (2004)1 shows a fine Bowie knife, etched with the slogan ‘The Gold Digger’s Companion’, and with the words ‘TRY ME’ on the ricasso inside a winged-horse. It is marked Joseph Law, Spring Lane. In 1841, this cutler – aged 24 with a wife, Ann – were listed as a maker of spring knives and running a beer house in Trippet Lane. The press reported that in 1843 a Joseph Law (otherwise known as Joseph Low), spring knife cutler, Bath Street, was bankrupt. In 1845, Joseph Law (unidentified) was listed as pen and pocket knife manufacturer in Thomas Street. Between about 1850 and 1863, Joseph Law (and his wife Ann and family) was listed at Broomspring Lane (or Spring Lane, as it was stamped on Law’s knives). He was described in the Census as Joseph Middleton Law, or Joseph Law Jun. He was afflicted by deafness by 1861. Between the late 1860s and 1876, Law operated from Court 2, Sydney Street. His name disappeared after that date.