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Small knife need info
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 1:06 am
by Billie89
I am looking to find out more information on a tiny knife that was my grandmothers. It says Brown brothers Germany on it it’s pearl and gold. There is some other writing on it but it’s hard for me to make out. It looks like it says black bros
Re: Small knife need info
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 2:03 am
by FRJ
Billie89 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 01, 2024 1:06 am
I am looking to find out more information on a tiny knife that was my grandmothers. It says Brown brothers Germany on it it’s pearl and gold. There is some other writing on it but it’s hard for me to make out. It looks like it says black bros
Welcome here, Billie89.
Goin's Encyclopedia associates Brown Brothers to Union Cutlery
weather from Germany or Little Valley, N.Y. or Tideoute, Pa. or Olean N.Y.
A very prominent name in Cutlery in this country. The "black bros" stamp is lost to me.
Your little swell center knife is a tarnished gem with a tipped manicure blade.
I assume those are brass bolsters which will clean up and it has elegant Mother of Pearl covers.
Apparently your Grandmother used it and has given it its personal history. I hope you treasure it.
Sometimes referred to as a Tuxedo knife.
Re: Small knife need info
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 4:44 pm
by ea42
Brown Brothers was based in Little Valley NY and imported and sold German made knives until around 1902 when they bought Tidioute Cutlery Co and began making their own. Black Brothers is probably one of the names used by the German cutlery company who made the knife. A lot of the old German cutlery companies stamped their America bound knives with a number of catchy tang stamps to lure buyers so it'd be hard to say who actually made the knife.
Eric
Re: Small knife need info
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 5:20 pm
by New_Windsor_NY
Billie89 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 01, 2024 1:06 am
I.....
Some VERY minor "BLACK BROS" information here:
viewtopic.php?p=895211#p895211
Re: Small knife need info
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 10:10 pm
by Mumbleypeg
The info Eric gave is a very high probability of being correct. German cutlers notoriously stamped “anglicized” names on their knives, hoping to enhance their appeal to U.S. customers. And (perhaps inadvertently) making it difficult to say who actually made it. At that time knives were simple tools (still are) and most folks just bought a knife because they liked the looks, or the price. Knife “collecting” didn’t become a popular hobby until around 1970, +/- a few years.
Welcome to AAPK.
Ken