All About Pocket Knives

This is one that arrived today; I have a few concerns about. IT is supposed to be a vintage 1902-1931; Bridge Cutlery Co. St Louis MO; Norvell/Shapleigh hardware brand. It is 3 1/2"; greenbone, all blades are stamped Bridge Cutlery CO., ST. Louis MO. The seller (ShowTime); seems to sell knives that are legit. The concerns that I have are:

It has milled liners; I do have some turn of the century pearl pens with milled liners; but I have never saw a larger bone with them.

The blades are not as high as the springs.

Could this be a reproduction; that someone has worked the springs? Thanks for your help.


Luckypaul777

got a pic of the spine area? Blade/spring meet up pic would be helpful too

Sorry for the terrible photos. It doesn't show well; but the liners are milled top and bottom; along with the blade separator. Liner mill work is pretty much worn down at backsprings; but are apparent on separator. All 3 blades are about 1/32" below top of springs.

While looking a little closer with a glass; I see faint mill marks; on the top of the bone handles as well; doesn't sound good to me.

Luckypaul777

Here is my deconstruction...


Camillus and Utica (Kutmaster) both made that pattern. I believe that particular knife was made by Utica. It would be a post-WWII knife. Yes, some companies did use milled liners even into the 1960's.

It is possible that it is an authentic knife by Utica on contract with the Bridge trademark. However, I do not think so for two reasons. One, I have never seen any knives with the Bridge trademark that were of post-WWII vintage (does not mean that they don't exist, but raises my suspicions). Second, the practice of stamping a logo on secondary blades seemed to end with WWII and not continued on post-WWII knives (again not an absolute call but raises my suspicions).

I also know that in the 1980's, a large batch (five tons I heard) of old knife parts were sold from the Utica factory and a LOT of these old parts have been made into modern fantasy fakes.

Again, none of this is an absolute judgment call, just the trail of suspicion. And I have bought very nice knives from that seller.

I bought a good looking Peachseed Diamond Edge Jack knife from showtime once, it had been apart and put back together, had grinding marks on the tangs, sanding scuff's on the bolsters ect. It was a knife that was recently built from parts, the guy would'nt make it good, so to kept the knife to keep from tradeing negitive feedbacks, I dont buy from him anymore!