Interesting junk knife - SCHMIDT_E ?

[almyjmoore]

This seems to be an older knife, with unusual blades. The slim blade is only half there and there is a piece missing from the celluloid handle. Three quarters of the handle was made of celluloid and the other quarter made of mother of pearl. Any idea why a maker would do that? What would be the purpose of the unusually shaped blades? They remind me of surgical instruments and are razor sharp. I can't make out the entire name stamped on the tang but it looks like "SCHMIDT_E. Does anyone recognize that as a knife maker? The body is 3" long. It has brass liners and the bolsters appear to be silver. I know it's a junker but I find it mysteriously interesting. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Al

[knife7knut]

It isn't a knife;it is a folding scalpel.The handle was probably replaced at one time and that is likely a tortoise shell handle.If you examine it under a loupe it will look like the handle material is layered almost like wood grain .Dates before 1870 likely as not.Most scalpels were made of metal after that date so they could be sterilized and not damage the handles.
Levine lists 3 makers named Schmidt but only two fit the date frame:Carl & J.A.Both started around 1829.

[almyjmoore]

Thank you for that information. I thought it was a little strange for a pocket knife. I want to do some research on it and now I have a place to start. Those insturments would make an interesting collection. I have never seen another one like it but I know that you are more apt to find something if you are looking for it. Thanks again. Al

[1967redrider]

Could it be "SCHMIDDLE"?

[almyjmoore]

It does look like there is room for that many letters. One of them looks like a D. I only have a couple of older knife books and they don't mention any maker with a name even close to that. Thanks, Al