All About Pocket Knives

I was hoping someone has some information on George Bradshaw Sheffield? Still has opening and closing snap,with half stops. 6 1/4" closed,10 1/2" open. Thanks for any help or input you might have

Lovely Bill.

That's a beautiful old veteran!

Thanks Lyle and Beavertail for your comments

Great "ol' warrior" Bill ... That's a nice big Hunter pattern imo - cool horn handles and a cool sway back - looks almost like the more modern banana knife handle pattern (Case made one among other companies) ... Also looks like someone carved a name on one side - can't really make out what it says but I like to think it adds character to the old knives - someone who owned it in those days must have cherished it and put their name on it for tracking... Looks like it may have been re-pinned - do the blades have snap? Just curious as I have a very old Sheffield Sheep Foot (Green & Co) and though it was re-pinned as well it still has cracking opening and closing snap ... I think one had little choice back in those days to fix their knives.

I tried my best to find some background for you Bill... I consulted Tweedale - There are 7 Bradshaws listed - John Smith Bradshaw, Vincent Bradshaw, Charles Bradshaw, John Bradshaw and actually 3 William Bradshaws... I read the background for each of them hoping maybe one of them had a brother, son or some relative named George but came up empty. Interesting in that Tweedale is a fairly extensive list from old Sheffield but maybe this one was missed. There were so many cutlers and some small shops that it is possible Tweedale missed a few - wouldn’t be the first time. The only other explanation would be George Bradshaw was a retailer and had his name stamped on the blades which was done by some including London retailers. My guess given the liners/bolsters are not integrated is post 1860.. Cool old knife for sure Bill!!!

Thanks Lee, it does have half stops along with opening and closing snap on both blades. The name is Phillip but can't make out the last name, it's a worn faint lettering? Thanks for looking!!