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Great grandmother's pocket knife
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2026 1:04 pm
by DactylicBen
Hello,
I recently came into possession of my great grandmother's pocket knife (pictured), and am hoping somebody here may be able to identify the rather worn maker's mark. I'd really like to know where the knife came from and when it was made. The initials M. D. place it mid-1920s or earlier, as she married and became M. R. She lived in India for much of her childhood and may have got the knife there, or after returning to England, so an Indian or English maker is most likely.
I hope the attached photos are adequate; I tried to get a closer photo of the stamp but my camera wouldn't focus at that range. I'll be very grateful if anyone is able to shed some light on the origin of this little family treasure.
I'd also be interested to know if anyone has recommendations for places in the UK that might be able to do some sympathetic restoration work to give it a new lease of life.
Re: Great grandmother's pocket knife
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2026 1:31 pm
by OLDE CUTLER
DactylicBen wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2026 1:04 pm
Hello,
I recently came into possession of my great grandmother's pocket knife (pictured), and am hoping somebody here may be able to identify the rather worn maker's mark. I'd really like to know where the knife came from and when it was made. The initials M. D. place it mid-1920s or earlier, as she married and became M. R. She lived in India for much of her childhood and may have got the knife there, or after returning to England, so an Indian or English maker is most likely.
I hope the attached photos are adequate; I tried to get a closer photo of the stamp but my camera wouldn't focus at that range. I'll be very grateful if anyone is able to shed some light on the origin of this little family treasure.
I'd also be interested to know if anyone has recommendations for places in the UK that might be able to do some sympathetic restoration work to give it a new lease of life.
Just keep in mind that the way the knife is now is how your great grand mother knew and used it. If you have a restoration done, then it is no longer that but something else.
Re: Great grandmother's pocket knife
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2026 2:21 pm
by DactylicBen
OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2026 1:31 pm
DactylicBen wrote: ↑Thu Mar 26, 2026 1:04 pm
Hello,
I recently came into possession of my great grandmother's pocket knife (pictured), and am hoping somebody here may be able to identify the rather worn maker's mark. I'd really like to know where the knife came from and when it was made. The initials M. D. place it mid-1920s or earlier, as she married and became M. R. She lived in India for much of her childhood and may have got the knife there, or after returning to England, so an Indian or English maker is most likely.
I hope the attached photos are adequate; I tried to get a closer photo of the stamp but my camera wouldn't focus at that range. I'll be very grateful if anyone is able to shed some light on the origin of this little family treasure.
I'd also be interested to know if anyone has recommendations for places in the UK that might be able to do some sympathetic restoration work to give it a new lease of life.
Just keep in mind that the way the knife is now is how your great grand mother knew and used it. If you have a restoration done, then it is no longer that but something else.
That's a good point, thanks for mentioning it. I'll definitely give that some careful thought.
Re: Great grandmother's pocket knife
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2026 3:32 pm
by New_Windsor_NY
The top line looks like it "might" say BHUPAT.
If you do an internet search, you will get some
results that could help you. The second line,
who knows.
Re: Great grandmother's pocket knife
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2026 12:57 am
by btrwtr
Very cool old knife. Handles look like water buffalo horn. I don't think it needs much in the way of any restoration, looks good to me the way she sits. A drop of a light machine oil in blade spring/blade joint would keep her functioning like a youngster.
Re: Great grandmother's pocket knife
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2026 6:44 am
by Eustace
BHARAT in Hindi is "India"