Silver Fruit Knives A Golden Age

[Hambone72]

That makes good sense. Thank you. Is there any way to date it or confirm maker? From what limited information I have, Sterling silver wasn't used until 1868. Does that mean coin was stopped being used or was coin still used as a less expensive alternative? I have a lot of questions, so feel free to point me to other references. I enjoy the knowledge of people who actually own and care about the subject. hambone

[Miller Bro's]

Is there any way to date it or confirm maker?

American unmarked examples are almost impossible to date or identify, unless you have an original catalog from the maker or can compare an unmarked one to one that is marked. Most of the more common makers made these knives for other companies which then sold them unmarked.

From what limited information I have, Sterling silver wasn't used until 1868. Does that mean coin was stopped being used or was coin still used as a less expensive alternative?

Sterling was used a lot earlier in knives than 1868, the knives made in England can be dated precisely due to the excellent English hallmark system, America had no such system. Coin silver was a less expensive alternative due to the lower silver content.

I have a lot of questions, so feel free to point me to other references.

Search the web for a copy of "Silver Folding Fruit knives" by Bill Karsten it is a very good starter reference

[Miller Bro's]

Here is one you won`t see very often.

It is unusual and patented two of my favorite type of knives to collect.

It was made by Empire Knife Co., it looks like a pocket knife however you would not want to try and carry this one in your pocket! The knife has no back spring instead the silver plated steel handles act as the spring to snap the blades open and hold them in place. One side is a silver fruit knife and the other side is a nut pick, these would be used in the home at the dinner table. Very unique and hard to find.

[0078]

Top one just reads sterling, 2nd one M B CO.

[Beechtree]

Nice ones 0078, both quite old by the looks (I believe the Meriden Brittania is at least 100 years old).
Also, Dimitri that Empire you posted in July is fantastic. I have never seen another. I really like the pattern, and also the silver work of the handle. I have seen that pattern or a very similar one to it on table knives, although I do not know the name.

[Miller Bro's]

Dimitri that Empire you posted in July is fantastic. I have never seen another. I really like the pattern, and also the silver work of the handle.

Thank you! I got real lucky when I found this one

[rexstubbins]

Picked this one up at a yard sale for $7.50

No markings that I can see so I am assuming that it is a U.S. fruit knife. Magnet does not stick and I believe it to be solid silver because I do not see any brass peeking through near the pivot pins on the blade where it has wear marks. Weighs 1.4 oz.

Looks a lot like one that knife7nut posted on page 2 of this thread but the etchings on the blade is different. The etchings on the handles appear to be almost exact.

[Miller Bro's]

Nice looking knife

[bonehead]

[quote="Miller Bro`s"]Here is one you won`t see very often.

It is unusual and patented two of my favorite type of knives to collect.

It was made by Empire Knife Co., it looks like a pocket knife however you would not want to try and carry this one in your pocket! The knife has no back spring instead the silver plated steel handles act as the spring to snap the blades open and hold them in place. One side is a silver fruit knife and the other side is a nut pick, these would be used in the home at the dinner table. Very unique and hard to find.

MB,

Very ornate knife... I know zip about these other than most all of them are pre 20th century. What was the unique blade used for Bonehead

[Miller Bro's]

What was the unique blade used for Bonehead

It`s a nut pick

[bonehead]

MB,

Makes sense, and definitely a tool that had good use. Often I imagine myself back then, I think I would enjoy the time...... BH

[gsmith7158]

Another Empire Knife Co. Fruit knife like Dimitri's.

[Miller Bro's]

Nice one Greg

Here's four I picked up a while back, three are Thomas Marples and one is by George Unite.

One knife has the measles!

[gsmith7158]

WOW! Nice Dimitri. Is that MOP? It looks like the bumps are somewhat symetrical. What's the explanation on that. Never seen it before.

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks Greg!

They are all genuine mother of pearl, the one with the bumps was carved that way from the maker several makers did this. I think it was to make the knife more appealing to the buyer but it also gives you a much better grip if you're using the knife and your hand is wet so it also has a function beyond aesthetics.

[FRJ]

I can't imagine manipulating Mother of Pearl to get that effect.
That's really neat!

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks Joe

Here's a close-up picture.

[kazuma78]

I have this silver fruit knife and can't identify the hallmarks for the correct maker and year. Can anyone provide any help? I know I'm reviving an old thread. Thanks!

[danno50]

Here is a link to Silver Maker's marks:
http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/index.htm

I believe the anchor indicates Birmingham made?

Dan

[kazuma78]

I saw that page but couldn't figure out what the top hallmark is, so I wasn't sure it was birmingham

[danno50]

Yeah, I couldn't find the top mark anywhere either.
Dan

[kazuma78]

Thanks for the help. I was trying to figure out more about it before I made the owner an offer on it.

[Miller Bro's]

This is a beautiful old knife!

[BWT]

Very nice Dimitri

[Miller Bro's]

Thanks Bill