flea market find ?

[richard]

i picked this up at a flea market.
it is stamped.
JR RICHARDS LD
BOROUGH
the blade is set in a bone / ivory sheath ?
like a straight razor.
but has a back spring.
it snaps open and shut and has a half stop.
i am thinking doctor/vet?
any info would be most helpfull
thanks for looking.

[cody6268]

Pretty sure that's a budding/grafting knife. The handle extension (most of today's are a fixed or folding brass tool) is for opening up tree branches to accept a graft.

[doglegg]

Neat old knife. I agree with Cody.

[Froe]

Agreed. Budding/grafting knife. But is the handle bone or ivory?
Froe

[Ridgegrass]

Bone Blow up your last pic to see remains of blood capillaries. Not found in ivory. Nice piece. J.O'.

[richard]

thank you for your replies. any one have any idea of value?

[kootenay joe]

Value is low. I used to collect bud grafting knives with ivory handles and rarely paid more than $30.
kj