Page 1 of 1

Antique Swedish Barrel Knife of Unknown Manufacture

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 1:38 am
by Nephilim
I recently acquired an old Swedish barrel knife, and I'd like to see if anyone here on the forums can tell me more about it. I already know a few things about these sorts of knives; essentially all of them were made in Eskilstuna, Sweden between the 1870s and the 1920s. There were a few major brands, notably Johan Engstrom, and some of them were commercially exported to the USA. My particular knife has some intricate carving on the wood handle, unlike most others I've seen. Also, the seller listed at as made by Jernbolaget, but it doesn't have any intact maker's mark and I have my doubts.
Pictures can be found in this imgur album: https://imgur.com/gallery/XHRvQNO

PS. New to this forum. Let me know if I should re-post this in another subforum.

Re: Antique Swedish Barrel Knife of Unknown Manufacture

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 1:58 am
by doglegg
What a neat knife and an awesome handle. You scored a beautiful there. ::nod:: ::tu::

Re: Antique Swedish Barrel Knife of Unknown Manufacture

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 2:02 am
by edge213
WOW! That one is a lot fancier than the one that I have.

Re: Antique Swedish Barrel Knife of Unknown Manufacture

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 2:46 am
by Old Folder
Welcome to AAPK Nephilim. Nice knife. ::nod::
Below is a site on "Barrel Knives from Eskilstuna" that I have used in the past. A lot of info there. Also information on "Carved" barrel knives.
"Jernbolaget" is also mentioned on the site. (about half way down).
I have one, but not carved. :x
Dan
http://kniver.blogspot.com/2007/10/barr ... a-per.html

Re: Antique Swedish Barrel Knife of Unknown Manufacture

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 3:32 am
by Nephilim
Thanks for the link, Old Folder. There's not too much info on these available in English and that site in appreciated.
EDIT: I read the page and then took a look at the section on knives made outside Sweden. The author has pictures of an example he speculates might have been made in India or Germany. The construction of the knife and the style/boarder of the carving pretty closely resembles mine.

Re: Antique Swedish Barrel Knife of Unknown Manufacture

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 4:09 am
by kootenay joe
It could be a custom built knife by a Swedish cutler, not a factory made knife. In times past most villages/towns had a knife maker who made knives for the 'locals'. I have seen many old Swedish & Finnish fixed blades that are not marked as to maker or place.
kj

Re: Antique Swedish Barrel Knife of Unknown Manufacture

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 1:12 pm
by Doc B
That's a beautiful barrel knife, Nephilim !!! Welcome to AAPK! Hope you can post some more pictures of your other knives!
FYI AAPK prefers users to post photos directly on it's site...for future reference and research purposes. It is frustrating to navigate that other, big, knife website...with all their broken and expired photo links.
::welcome:: ::handshake::

Re: Antique Swedish Barrel Knife of Unknown Manufacture

Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 1:37 pm
by Beavertail
That's a good looking knife! ::handshake::

Re: Antique Swedish Barrel Knife of Unknown Manufacture

Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2020 4:11 am
by Nephilim
Thanks for the tip, Doc B. Next time I'll post the images as attachments. I assume that will display them within the post? Most of my collection is stuff from outside the US and I'll probably post some more stuff in the future.