Big knives and....Christmas Tree lights?
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2024 4:07 am
I asked about this in another thread but doing so here again in a more appropriate thread.
I have this big ol display knife. Its 6 inches closed, 11 overall with a beefy blade. But the bolsters are hollow and there's a little play. Not meant for using it seems
So salesman's display is the obvious first choice. There seems to have been a novelty and ad knife manufacturer in Japan in the 60's and 70's that used an Empire stamp. This again seems to be the obvious first choice, and was indeed the prevailing theory and where the issue of origin was laid to rest, in what represents the only other example like this I could find being discussed.
However, I've never seen any of the actual specimens. Im not an expert by any means, so I'm also asking if any of you have? Seen this knife but smaller?
I'm also wondering about the stamp being Nippon and not Japan? Didn't they quit using that on knives for export in the 1920's? Could it be made for a domestic market?
The name Messervey's is interesting. It's an old New England name. I've found a possible interesting link I'm presenting for comment and consideration.
http://www.oldchristmastreelights.com/b ... servey.htm
It seems this fellow, whose specialty was Christmas lights, and was known for using intricate Japanese bulbs, listed his main occupation as an importer. He brought over alot of lights, but also gifts and novelty products.
My theory is that this knife is actually from the 1920's or perhaps teens. It was made for Bert Messervey's company, Messervey's Industries. I think it's original intended use is as a display piece. Possibly the salesman's display, but for a line that was never produced. I would assume that the aforementioned Empire novelty knife company did in fact make the knife in possibly its early days? Or the modern iteration may be a revival of an old name.
Or maybe someone will look at the materials and say 70's, nice try. Any thoughts?
Bert himself was a pretty interesting guy. The story of his untimely end is wild, and tragic.
I have this big ol display knife. Its 6 inches closed, 11 overall with a beefy blade. But the bolsters are hollow and there's a little play. Not meant for using it seems
So salesman's display is the obvious first choice. There seems to have been a novelty and ad knife manufacturer in Japan in the 60's and 70's that used an Empire stamp. This again seems to be the obvious first choice, and was indeed the prevailing theory and where the issue of origin was laid to rest, in what represents the only other example like this I could find being discussed.
However, I've never seen any of the actual specimens. Im not an expert by any means, so I'm also asking if any of you have? Seen this knife but smaller?
I'm also wondering about the stamp being Nippon and not Japan? Didn't they quit using that on knives for export in the 1920's? Could it be made for a domestic market?
The name Messervey's is interesting. It's an old New England name. I've found a possible interesting link I'm presenting for comment and consideration.
http://www.oldchristmastreelights.com/b ... servey.htm
It seems this fellow, whose specialty was Christmas lights, and was known for using intricate Japanese bulbs, listed his main occupation as an importer. He brought over alot of lights, but also gifts and novelty products.
My theory is that this knife is actually from the 1920's or perhaps teens. It was made for Bert Messervey's company, Messervey's Industries. I think it's original intended use is as a display piece. Possibly the salesman's display, but for a line that was never produced. I would assume that the aforementioned Empire novelty knife company did in fact make the knife in possibly its early days? Or the modern iteration may be a revival of an old name.
Or maybe someone will look at the materials and say 70's, nice try. Any thoughts?
Bert himself was a pretty interesting guy. The story of his untimely end is wild, and tragic.
