Question about a big Messervy's Nippon salesman's knife?

[Lawrence]

Good day folks. I stopped off at an antique shop yesterday and found a knife that intrigues me but I can't find much information on it. It's a honking big salesman's type folding knife with a tang stamp
'MESSERVY'S over LIMITED over NIPPON'. The handle is synthetic/plastic I think. The only other knife I have found in my research has been a small stockman that was a Messervy Limited Empire Nippon.

Has anyone heard about this company, and can anyone please share information on these 'over-sized' knives. They are asking $90 for this one (at this point), so I easily passed on it, but am interested in whether this knife is truly collectible. I can always go back and make an offer that I am much more happy with. Sorry about the poor pics, the lighting wasn't that great and I used my phone.

cheers

[junebug]

SORRY , LAWRENCE .....I SEARCHED AND FOUND NOTHIN REALLY ONLINE OR BOOKS.
LINK TO A OLD EBAY KNIFE:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ODD-ANTIQUE-STA ... 7675.l2557


VERY COOL KNIFE THO

[whitebuffalo58]

I may be wrong, but I think the info on their tag may be a bit off. I'd think more like 1960's-70's Japan. If so, it wouldn't be worth anywhere near $90 (or atleast not to me). Looks to have hollow bolsters that were typical of low end knives made in Japan during that time. It may have actually been used as a storefront display, but more likely at a five and dime store then a high end knife retailer.
It'd be fun to look at, but...

WB

[treefarmer]

I tried to find out something about the knife and only found a lot of historical references to the name "Messery". "Nippon" came back with references to Japan just like WB suggested.
There's a big Case folder like that in a pawn shop in the next county, I don't remember what they're asking for it. They said it was a salesman's knife. Unique to say the least.
Treefarmer

[Lawrence]

Thanks for the information folks. I'll definitely pass on this one. Interesting, but not at that price.
cheers

[gino]

Thanks for the information folks. I'll definitely pass on this one. Interesting, but not at that price.
cheers

I agree I think its overpriced by about $80.00

[vintagejunk]

I know this is an old thread, and I am a long time viewer who never signed in. I believe I have a knife with an actual Nippon stamp from the 1890 to 1920 era. It is small, 2.75" long by 5/16" wide, with what appears to be bone scales and maybe silver bolsters; color appears to be slightly different from nickel silver, but I'm not sure. Main blade is broken off, but otherwise knife is in very good shape. Broken off blade has the stamp S Nippon, maybe part of a letter before the S, I'm not sure.

I've looked hard on line to find another knife from that era with a Nippon stamp, just for comparison purposes, but haven't found a single one. I'm hoping one of you on this forum have maybe seen one before, or have some insight as to how I could find out more about it. I'm having trouble posting pictures, but will try to do so shortly.

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated

[vintagejunk]

here is a picture of the knife I was talking about