All About Pocket Knives

Hi team, can anyone identify these markings on an old pocket knife that was in mt dads belongings. Handle looks like mother of pearl. Thanks

Millsy wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 12:24 am Hi team, can anyone identify these markings on an old pocket knife that was in mt dads belongings. Handle looks like mother of pearl. Thanks

Welcome to the forum, Millsy.

I think that your knife is a silver fruit knife. The marking would be British stamps verifying that the quality of the silver. I think. There are some fellows here who can probably tell you a lot more. That is a really nice knife!

Welcome here, Millsy.
As Mel said, you have a silver fruit knife.
I can't offer more than that but I wanted to show that there were many produced in Sheffield and much more than the few I am showing.
They are interesting little knives and not particularly rugged with soft silver blades.
I like the handle contour on yours.
You're fortunate to have your dads knife.

FRJ wrote: ↑Mon Oct 23, 2023 2:57 am

Very nice collection there Joe!

Thank you Dinadan and FRJ

Millsy, the crown means the knife was assayed for silver purity in Sheffield. The lion passant means it is sterling silver. The lower case “g” of that design means it was assayed in 1924, and thus likely made in ‘23 or ‘24. The T.M is the maker’s mark for Thomas Marples, a Sheffield silversmith. Google his name to learn a lot more about him.

Since you are new to the forum you may not know the following. Fruit knives have a silver blade so it does not corrode due to the acid in fruit, particularly citrus. Silver is a relatively soft metal so fruit knives are somewhat delicate and not suitable for everyday cutting. Their heyday was the 19th and early 20th century before stainless steel was widely used. Don’t routinely carry it in the pocket as coins and keys will chip the mother of pearl. If you want to carry it now and then as a tribute to your dad, look for a period correct pocket knife purse to protect it (see photo below).

Nice old knife. In your 3rd photo, is the silver shield missing or is it just black in the photo? Please post a photo of the entire mark side, as I’d like to see the mother of pearl work on that side. Thanks.

Dennis