British Knives and Bowies
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**NAMED**WW1 Era British George Butler & Co Sheffield Royal Field Artillery (RFA) Officer’s / Cavalry Horseman's Folding Multi Tool Clasp Knife With Removable Rein Studs Engraved To ‘Lieutenant G.C. White RFA’. Sn 22903 - 22903 This is an excellent original, English, Sheffield made RFA Officer’s / Horseman's Folding Knife engraved to ‘Lieutenant G.C. White RFA’ ( Lieutenant C G White RFA attached Trench Morter Battery is listed as wounded on the 23rd July 1916.). It has a 3 ½” single edged blade, a 2 ½” single edged blade, a 1 ½” double edged Tin opener marked blade with thumb spur, Button Hook, cork screw and gouge/ stone remover, File blade and Triangular spike. It also has its two removable rein repairing studs and fixed screw driver tip on the frame of the knife between its undamaged German Silver scales. The blades are stamped by the Sheffield manufacturer 'G. Butler & Co' with 'key' trademark and some ‘Sheffield Arts’ (George Butler & Co Sheffield C1810-1952, see pages 135-136 of Tweedale’s Directory Of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers 1740-2013 Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition). The knife measures 5 ¾” in length when closed. One German Silver scale is engraved ‘Lt G.C. White RFA’ and the frame has its original German Silver lanyard shackle. The price for this quality knife worthy of further research regarding the named Officer includes UK delivery. Sn 22903 (folding blades box near workbench) £595.00 |
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Victorian English Crookes & Clarke Sheffield German Silver Cutlery Hilt Bowie Knife With Etched Blade ‘La Muerte Antes Que La Dishonra’ (Spanish: Death Before Dishonour) & Scabbard. Sn 22963 - 22963 Henry Crookes & Company Ltd was established in Sheffield in 1857. It appears to have originated with George Crookes, a table knife and scissors manufacturer in Wellington Street in 1837. In the Census (1841) George Crookes was listed as a table knife manufacturer in Hanover Street (the factory address was Washington Works, Bowden Street). His son, Henry, was also a table knife manufacturer, aged 20; and another son was named George. Later in the 1840s, George Crookes & Co was listed as a merchant and table knife manufacturer at 95 Norfolk Street, with George residing at East View, Parker’s Road. By 1862, this business had become Crookes & Clarke, with Henry Crookes (East View) and Thomas Clarke (Crabtree House, Pitsmoor) as partners. George Crookes (probably Junior) was a ‘merchant’s clerk’ at East View. Crookes & Clarke became Henry Crookes & Co by 1868 with two partners – Henry Crookes of East Bank Cottage and George Crookes of Leavy Greave. By 1876, the firm’s address was in Bramwell Street. The partners were Henry Crookes, ‘foreign merchant’, living at Ingleby Lodge, Williamson Road, Sharrow; and George Crookes (Henry’s son) at the same address. Henry retired in 1880 and moved to Bridlington with his wife, Mary Ann. After 1880, George and Charles Crookes (another son of Henry) were partners. By 1887, Henry Crookes & Co was located at Allen Street, with Herbert Crookes as the only listed partner. Allen Street was the home of Hale Bros and by 1889 it had acquired Crookes and its trade mark, consisting of the word ‘TIP’ and a picture of a top (i.e. tip-top). Henry Crookes died at Bridlington Quay, aged 77, on 9 February 1899. By 1901, Crookes’s address was Moorfields Works, Snow Lane – the same address as Hale Bros. Kutrite later used the Crookes’ name. In the Victorian era many English cutlers made Bowies for the growing European & American markets. This is a Victorian cutlery handled Bowie by ‘Crookes & Clarke’ Made for the Continental Export Market. The knife has a typical Victorian era cast German Silver cutlery form handle. The hilt has an oval German Silver finger guard. The 7 ¾” long, steel single edged Bowie blade has areas of staining consistent with age. One side of the blade is signed by the makers ‘Crookes & Clarke’ and has an etched scroll work panel with banners & wording ‘La Muerte Antes Que La Dishonra’ (Spanish: Death Before Dishonour an inscription sometimes found on Corsican vendetta knives). The knife measures 12 ¼” overall. The blade is just over 1 ¼” broad at its widest & the spine is 4mm thick. The original reddish brown leather scabbard has German Silver throat mount with frog locket and chape which has several dents consistent with age and carry. The leather has age faded gilt line decoration on the edges and the centre of one side has a faded gilt foliate motif. All leather and stitching are intact. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22963 (Bowies Box) £595.00 |
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Victorian / Edwardian Era George Baxter Levesley Brothers Sheffield Folding Multi Blade / Tool Lock Knife With Stag Antler Scales. ED 3011 - ED 3011 / 22949 Levesley Bros was listed in 1862 as a cutlery manufacturer in Central Works, West Street. The partners were Charles, William, and Thomas (born in 1821, 1826, and 1831, respectively). Charles was working in his own right by 1849 as pearl carver and dressing case instrument manufacturer in Orchard Lane. He was amongst the most skilled carvers in the trade. John Hinchliffe and Joseph Rodgers & Sons are said to have relied upon him to carve the pearl handles of their display knives for the Great Exhibition in 1851. The firm had a London showroom by the 1890s, when the business was briefly restyled as Levesley Bros & Lloyd. Levesley’s partnership with William Lloyd terminated in 1893. Levesley Bros continued at Central Works in Mary Street. After 1918, Thomas and William Charles were still listed as the partners in directories. Thomas died at Western Bank on 2 October 1924, aged 94. The firm declared bankruptcy in 1929. It was listed briefly at 203 Arundel Street until the early 1930s. Their trade marks included ‘CLEAN SHAVE’ on razors, with a picture of a batsman taking guard (later used by Joseph Allen); and a sea shell with the word ‘FORWARD’ (later acquired by E.M. Dickinson) (see page 375 of Tweedale’s Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers 1740-2013 Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition). This is a quality Victorian / Edwardian era folding clasp lock knife with many blades / tools some marked ‘George Baxter Levesley Brothers Sheffield’. It has two single edged blades, one 3 ½” length which when opened locks in place and is released by pressing a release button on the frame of the knife, the other 1 ½”, a file blade with sharp point (1 ¾”), hook, corkscrew, gimlet, triangular spike (1 ¾”) & fixed steel screwdriver tool forming part of the frame protruding between the German Silver bolsters. The single edged blades, spike, file and hook are signed ‘George Baxter Levesley Brothers Sheffield’. The lettering is over struck (we cannot find a George Baxter operating on his own as a Sheffield Cutler in our books, he may have been a knife maker for Levesley Brothers or a retailer). The knife has undamaged Stag antler scales secured by German Silver pins. The blades and tools have staining consistent with age but no damage or rust. This quality piece is worthy of further research regarding the blade markings and the price includes UK delivery. ED 3011 (drawers office) £495.00 |
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WW1 HARRODS R.A.C. Volunteer Force (aka "RAC Corps of Volunteer Motor Drivers") Officer’s Private Purchase Hand Forged Sheffield Made Folding Multi Blade / Tool Clasp Knife Retailed By Harrods (The Famous Knightsbridge London Store). - ED 3010 / 22948 The Royal Automobile Club Volunteer Force (also known as "RAC Corps of Volunteer Motor Drivers") was a group of civilian members of the Royal Automobile Club, who at the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, took their personal cars and joined the British Army in France and Belgium, to act as chauffeurs for senior officers. Following their involvement in the early battles of the war, several of their number were appointed to senior positions in the British military establishment. This is a quality made WW1 British Officer’s folding clasp knife with many blades / tools useful in the field carried by an Officer or member of the RAC. It has two 2” single edged blades, a saw blade (2 ½”), a folding screwdriver tool, hook, corkscrew, gimlet and triangular spike (1 ½”). The saw blade, one of the single edged blades and hook are signed ‘Harrods’ (Harrods Ltd Brompton Road SW, the famous Knightsbridge London Store). The other single edged blade is signed ‘Hand Forged Sheffield England’ (there are no maker or date marks on the clasp knife). The knife has undamaged finely chequered ebonised wood scales, one mounted with German Silver plate with initials of the ‘R.A.C’. The blades and tools have staining consistent with age but no damage or rust. This unusual quality piece is worthy of further research and the price includes UK delivery. ED 3010 (in drawers office) £495.00 |
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**QUALITY**ELEGANT**C1850 Victorian English George Woodhead Sheffield Spear Point Bowie Knife With Graduating Blued Circles Design Blade, Polished Bone Hilt With German Silver Mounts & Original Leather Scabbard With German Silver Mounts. Sn 22315 - 22315 The English cutler George Woodhead is recorded at 7 Lambert Street, Sheffield in 1841 and 36 Howard Street, Sheffield in 1849 (see page 682 of Tweedale’s Directory Of Sheffield Manufacturers 1740-2013 Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition). This is a Victorian Bowie knife made by Woodhead at his Howard Street address. It has a clean 6” long, slim ( ¾” wide at its broadest) spear point blade (11” overall length). The square shank of the blade is signed by the maker ‘Woodhead Howard St Sheffield’ and has original leather hilt washer. Both sides of the blade have original elegant blued decoration in the form of graduating blued Circles. The blue circles have some light scabbard rubbing. The Bowie has a ribbed German silver ferrule and oval cross guard with ball finials & Crown form pommel cap. The slim polished bone hilt is clean and undamaged. It is complete with its excellent original open top brown leather scabbard with German silver mounts. The long chape has a ball finial and the throat mount has a frog stud. One side of the scabbard has tooled decoration. All leather & stitching are clean and intact. The price for this quality Victorian piece includes UK delivery. Sn 22315 (in Bowies box storeroom) £495.00 |
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**LARGE**English Victorian Horseman's / Coachman's Wade Wingfield & Rowbotham Sheffield Multi Bladed Folding Knife With 7 Fold Out Tools & Blades, Screwdriver Tip, Removable Concealed Spike & Tweezers & German Silver Mounted Stag Antler Scales. Sn 22843 - 22843 Wade Wingfield & Rowbotham were Victorian cutlers who before 1852 had premises at 82 Tenter Street, Sheffield. In 1852 the company changed name to Wingfield Rowbotham & Co (see pages 674 & 675 of Tweedale’s Directory Of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers 1740-2013 2nd Edition by Tweedale). This is a large Victorian era Horseman's / Coachman’s Multi Bladed Clasp Knife by Wade Wingfield & Rowbotham Sheffield. The knife has 7 fold out tools and blades and screw driver tip in front of the German Silver bolsters. The 4” single edged blade has the makers Tenter Street address. The 2 ½” single edged blade has ‘Wade Wingfield Robotham Sheffield’ name & address. The 4” saw blade . has partially visible trademark on one side of the shank and ‘Wade Wingfield Robotham Sheffield’ name & address on the reverse. The knife has undamaged Stag antler scales. The knife has German silver mounts including a void rectangle to one of the scales. Slotted into the scales are their original accessories which consist of a steel spike and pair of tweezers. The blades & accessories have staining to be expected with age. With large 4” blade unfolded the knife measures 11 ¼” overall length. All blades and tools fold neatly into its steel frame. The frame is fitted with German silver shackle. The price for this impressive Victorian knife includes UK delivery. Sn 22843 (folding knives drawer office) £895.00 |
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**UNIQUE**UN-RECORDED**RD-16 POSSIBLE PROTOTYPE**WW1 British Robbins Of Dudley Trench Fighting Knife & Scabbard. ED 3006 - ED 3006 Robbins was established in 1880 in Fountain Street, Dudley, where they originally manufactured baths and ironwork. They were later listed as "grate and fender makers" (fireplace fixtures) until 1906 when they began to produce art metalwork. In 1910 they began focusing exclusively on this aspect of the business. WW1 saw the Company branch out in trench knife making and they produced a series of push daggers, knuckle knives, etc, all for private purchase to British and Allied troops. The push daggers are quite well known. The company ceased trading is 1928. Robbins produced a large range of knives & daggers with many unusual variants. An unknown aspect of the unique designs for Robbins knives is whether they ever registered the designs? No known examples of a knife carrying a registered design number or any registration records have been found. There is the question of whether a full catalogue of Robbins knives existed, or did their representative just take samples with them on their travels? This seems unlikely because how would buyers re-order unless they had some form of catalogue number or design reference? If such a catalogue existed one has yet to be found and remains the Holy Grail of Robbins collecting (see page 100 of ‘The History & Knives Of Robbins & Company By Flook & Pidgeon). This trench fighting knife has all of the feel & form of a genuine, original Robbins of Dudley piece but we cannot find this shape Robbins knife in either Flook & Pidgeon’s book or using internet resources. The butt of the hilt of our example instead of having the usual ‘Robbins Dudley’ signature has ‘’RD-16’ possibly a Robbins Dudley catalogue / prototype design number. The ergonomic hilt is cast alloy with integral finger guard and has even aged patina. The single edged steel blade has 3 blood grooves on either side. The blade has no damage to the cutting edge and has even aged staining all pointing to this being a Robbins made knife. The knife measures 10 ¾” overall length. The knife is complete with its original brown leather scabbard in which it was found. The scabbard has an integral belt loop which has a retaining strap with eyelet & single brass stud. All leather and stitching are clean and intact. The price for this possibly unique piece worthy of further research includes UK delivery. ED 3006 (FS box) £1,295.00 |
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**RARE**Victorian 1869-1874 Joseph Rodgers 6 Norfolk Street Sheffield Made For Manton & Co Calcutta Spear Point Bowie Knife With Chequered Horn Scales, German Silver Cross Guard & Leather Scabbard. Sn 19279 - 19279 The Manton family were English gunmakers beginning with John in the early 1800's, then his younger brother Joseph who operated circa 1825-35. J. Manton and Son operated circa 1832-1862 and Manton & Co is listed as operating in London and Calcutta circa 1869-74. Manton’s Calcutta operation specialised in supplying quality firearms and blades to British officer’s & Gentlemen in India. Joseph Rodgers had an unsurpassed reputation for knife making in the 19th century. The Star and Maltese cross were granted to Rodgers by the Company in 1764 and both he and later his sons continued to produce quality knives throughout the Victorian era at various premises in Sheffield including the world famous 6 Norfolk Street. Due to the high quality of their work Rodgers & Sons were awarded Royal Warrants. This is a quality 13” long, Spear Point Bowie knife & Scabbard made by Rodgers at their Norfolk street workshop for Manton & Co Calcutta. It has chequered horn scales secured by German Silver pins. A void German silver plate is mounted on one scale and it has a thick oval German silver cross guard. It has an 8 ¼” double edged, spear point steel blade with central fullers on both sides. One side of the blade is crisply marked ‘Joseph Rodgers & Sons, No 6 Norfolk Street Sheffield’ together with ‘Star and Maltese cross’ trademark and the reverse ‘Made For Manton & Co Calcutta’. The blade is 1 1/2" broad at its widest and has just small areas of staining consistent with age. The excellent, original open top brown leather scabbard has a rear belt loop. All leather & stitching of the scabbard are intact. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 19279 £1,345.00 |
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**RARE**Original WW1 British Robbins Of Dudley Alloy Hilt Trench Fighting Knife Push Dagger With Steel Knuckle Bow & Leather Scabbard. Sn 22691 - 22691 Robbins of Dudley were a metal working Company in Dudley Worcester England who at the outbreak of WW1 began making Trench Fighting weapons. This is an original, rare, Robbins Dudley WW1 trench / fighting knife push dagger with alloy handle, flat steel knuckle shaped bow and steel blade (see page 24 and illustration plates 32-34 of British & Commonwealth Military Knifes by Ron Flook where examples the same as ours are illustrated). The knife has a total length of 6 ¼” and the double edged blade with central blood grooves is 5” length. The blade is clean. The handle is marked ‘Robbins Dudley’. The knife is complete with its original leather scabbard with correct retaining strap and single stud fastener. The rear has a riveted belt loop. The leather and stitching are clean & intact. The price for this rare WW1 trench fighting knife includes UK delivery. Sn 22691 (fs box) £1,200.00 |
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Early 20th Century English Jonathan Crookes Sheffield Pistol & Heart Trademark Bowie Knife With Stag Antler Scales & Scabbard. Sn 22535 - 22535 Jonathan Crookes together with his pistol & Heart trademark (The heart and pistol legend, was used as early as 1780 by the cutler Jonathan Crookes and became Jonathan Crookes & Son C1827. In 1859 the Sheffield cutlers John Brookes & Thomas Crookes appear in Melville & Co’s Commercial directory of Sheffield as manufacturer’s of knives and dressing case instruments. The Company had a warehouse, workshops, engine house & grinding wheel behind a house on St Philip’s Road on the outskirts of the cutlery making district of Sheffield. The workshop / factory was named the Atlantic works and was previously the address of knife maker Thomas Wigfall. The Company took advantage of the booming American market making Bowies for the British & American export. The trademark was later bought and used by other Sheffield knife makers, see pages 161-163 of The Sheffield Knife Book by Tweedale). This is a large original early 20th century Bowie Knife by Jonathan Crookes. It measures 14 ½” overall with a clean 9 ½” clean steel Bowie blade. The blade is just under 1 ½” broad at its widest and the spine is 6mm thick. The ricasso is stamped by the maker ‘Jonathan Crookes’ together with his pistol & heart trademark. The hilt’s Stag antler scales secured by pins are undamaged. The cross guard is brass. The Bowie is complete with its brown leather open top scabbard with small stitched belt loop to the rear. The front of the scabbard has tooled foliate decoration on the edges. All leather and stitching are clean and intact. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22535 £495.00 |
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