British Knives and Bowies
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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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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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**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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1920-1925 Chalwin & Edwards & Co 70 High Holborn London Bowie Knife With Stag Antler Scales & Original Leather Scabbard. Sn 22628 - 22628 Chalwin & Edwards were English cutlers recorded as working between 1895 & 1915 at 70 High Holborn London. They are then recorded as Chalwin & Edwards & Co working at the same premises between 1920 & 1925 (see page 36 of Ron Flook’s ‘The London Knife Book’). This is a nice original Bowie by Chalwin & Edwards & Co at their 70 High Holborn London premises between 1920 & 1925 with original Scabbard. It has undamaged stag antler scales secured by pins. One scale is mounted with a void German silver bar and it has an oval German silver cross guard. It has a clean 6” single edged, steel bowie blade signed by the makers ‘Chalwin - Edwards & Co 70 High Holborn London’. The spine of the blade is 4mm width and the blade is 1" broad at its widest. The Bowie measures just under 10 ¼” overall length. Its original open top brown leather scabbard has a stitched seam to the front and belt loop to the rear. The leather of the scabbard is clean with just very light small areas of carry scuffs & all stitching is intact. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22628 (in Bowies box) £595.00 |
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**QUALITY**Victorian Bowie Knife With ‘Drop Down’ Extendable Blade, Stag Antler Scales, Brass Bolsters, Blade Release Lever & Open Top Leather Bucket Scabbard. Sn 17730 - 17730 This is an excellent Victorian Bowie Knife with drop down, extendable blade. It is 10 ¾” overall length when the blade is locked in its short blade (5 ¾” length cutting edge) position. When the brass locking lever on the spine of the hilt is operated the blade drops down or can be pulled out and extends to 8 ¼” length cutting edge (13 ¾” overall). The blade is undamaged and has just light staining consistent with age. The spine of the blade has a small hole in the mid-section which allows the blade to be locked into its short position by lifting the release lever & pushing the blade back into the hilt. The release lever is numbered ‘13’ but there are no other maker or date marks on this quality made extendable Bowie. It has attractive Stag antler scales which are in great condition secured by steel pins & brass bolsters. The knife is complete with original open top brown leather bucket scabbard. The scabbard has no belt loop and has a small 1.5 cm cut on one side of the throat consistent with it being cut by the blade when being removed from the scabbard at some point in its life. The price includes UK Delivery. Sn 17730 £445.00 |
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Post 1900, Large Folding Pen Knife with German Silver & Mother of Pearl Scales Engraved with Cyrillic/ Hebrew Script by Walker & Hall Sheffield. Sn 10789 - 10789 The Sheffield based Cutler George Walker is recorded as operating as a 'knife forger' in 1845. In 1853 the firm was joined by Henry Hall of Worcester and became 'Walker & Hall' based at the Elecro Works in Howard Street, Sheffield. Walker & Hall are believed to have been the biggest employer in the cutlery trade prior to WW1 (see page 284 of The Sheffield Knife Book by Tweedale). This is an excellent folding pen knife by Walker and Hall made post 1900. It has a clean 4 ½ “single edged folding blade and measures 9 ¾ “when open. The blade is marked by the manufacturer 'Walker & Hall Sheffield'. It has German Silver scales inset with attractive undamaged Mother of Pearl sections which are engraved on one side with Cyrillic/ Hebrew Script which is worthy of further research. Price includes UK delivery. Sn 10789 £275.00 |
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WWI Era British Cavalry Officer’s Private Purchase Steel & German Silver Construction Horseman’s Multi Bladed Folding Clasp Knife by William Morton & Sons, Sheffield with Removable Reign Bolts. Sn 18091. - 18091 The date William Morton launched his knife making business is unknown, but he is listed as a spring knife maker in Darnall in 1868. William Morton & Sons Sheffield were first listed in directories in 1876 at the old Rockingham Works 175 Rockingham Street, Sheffield as makers of pocketknives and sports knives (see page 231 of the Sheffield Knife Book by Tweedale). This is a WW1 era Horseman’s Multi Bladed clasp Knife by Morton & Sons, most likely a British officer’s private purchase piece. The knife’s fold out tools and blades consist of a horseshoe cleaning hook, corkscrew, fullered spike & 3 single edged blades one with thumb spur. The blades are marked by the manufacturer ‘Morton & Sons Sheffield’. The body of the knife has 2 original removable reign screw bolts with nuts. The elbow of the hook has a screwdriver edge which allows it to be used as a screwdriver when the hook is closed against the frame. The knife has undamaged German silver scales and shackle. The blades & accessories are undamaged with just the staining to be expected with age. All blades fold neatly into its frame. The price for this quality piece includes UK delivery. Sn 18091 £445.00 |
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Victorian Joseph Rodgers & Sons 6 Norfolk Street, Sheffield ‘Hunting Knife’ Folding Bowie with Polished Horn Scales, German Silver Fittings & Later Quality Bespoke Made Scabbard. Sn 21297 - 21297 Joseph Rodgers & Sons were first established as cutlers at ‘Holy Croft’ Sheffield C1724. By 1780 the firm was firmly established and well known for making quality knives. Having outgrown their Holy Croft premises moved to what was to become their worldwide famous address 6 Norfolk Street Sheffield. Originally making small, edged weapons the Company moved into manufacture of large Bowies when American & British Empire markets expanded in the Victorian era (see pages 522-530 of Tweedale’s Directory Of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers Expanded 2nd Edition). This is an excellent Victorian era Bowie made at Rodgers & Sons 6 Norfolk Street premises. The 7” long, steel blade with medial ridge has polished horn scales secured by steel pins. It has German silver bolsters at the pommel and at the cross guard. The lower bolsters are ribbed and engraved ‘No6’ (Norfolk Street). It has a swivelling brass finger guard consisting of 2 plates secured to the blade shank by a single brass pin allowing movement of the cross guard as normally found on folding Bowies. The blade, on one side is marked crisply at the ricasso, 'No 6 Sheffield, Steel' and near to the spine ‘HUNTING KNIFE’. The reverse is stamped with Rodgers Maltese type cross trademarks. The blade has just light age-related staining. The blade is released for closing by depression of a bar on the spine of the hilt. Open the knife is 12 ½” overall length, closed 8 ½”. Its later quality made brown leather scabbard has a full flap cover with eyelet that fastens to a brass lug on the front of the scabbard. To the rear it has a single riveted belt loop. All leather & stitching of the scabbard are clean & intact. The price for this Victorian folding Bowie by one of the famous Sheffield cutlers includes UK delivery. Sn 21297 (drawers Office) £545.00 |
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**MASSIVE**BLACKSMITH MADE**CUTLER’S SHOP WINDOW ADVERTISING PIECE**Early 20th Century Bowie Knife. Sn 22514 - 22514 This is a massive, heavy Bowie in English form most likely Blacksmith made in the early 20th century. This size of Bowie were displayed by Cutler’s in their shop windows to draw attention to & advertise their wares. The 19 ¾” long, Bowie has undamaged, thick wood scales secured to the full tang by 5 brass rivets. It has a heavy cast brass finger guard. The knife’s impressive 12 ½” long blade is 6mm thick and 3” broad at its widest. The steel blade has areas of staining consistent with age and storage. There is no damage or nicks to the cutting edge. There are no visible maker marks on this Bowie. The Bowie weighs a hefty 1.5 Kg. Although useable as a knife this Bowie was never made to be carried and is correctly without scabbard. The price for this massive Bowie, a great conversation / display piece includes UK delivery. Sn 22514 £395.00 |
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