A bit of help with an old BAK please

[Neil]

I got this old knife yesterday.  I'm assuming its a British Army knife, though its bigger than any I've handled before.

Despite its poor surface (with the help of a rubber) I've been able to read the tang stamp " SCOTIA - J. M^c CLORY - SHEFFIELD"  The company seem to have made razors and been around between 1870 and 1919

And that is everything I know, no other information on the company at all   I'm assuming the little blade is perhaps an early can opener?  Was this pattern issued to the armed services at any point and can anyone help in narrowing down its age?

[Gareth]

I know nothing other than to confirm that that is indeed an early can opener.  Cool looking knife though.

[Pacu]

that looks like one i saw at a gun show in Dallas last year. It was on a table with other ww1 allied military equipment.

[Craig]

That's a coincidence , five minutes ago was just looking at those on British Blades. I think it's a pre 1939 pattern BAK, probably pre 1913 as the handle isn't chequered. My dad has one of the chequered ones; the can opener on his is a swine to open but it's a great, rock solid tool. Nice find, Neil 

More info here:
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?63126-Circa-WW1-Military-Folders
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?65357-Circa-WW11-Military-Folders

[Neil]

Nice one Craig

I'd been looking on BB and found the post WWII thread but not that one

[DaveK]

That looks like an interesting BAK Neil 

[ryan1835]

you doing it up neil?

[Neil]

Probably not.

The tang stamp was so faint that I didn't dare use anything harsher than a rubber to reveal it 

I'll probably just give it a rub over with Renaissance wax to prevent any further corrosion.

I may actually sell it.  I'm finding all the Sheffield history somewhat distracting at the moment.  I can't afford to start collecting Sheffield knives as well 

[Benner]

Is it a real nailbreaker Neil?

[Neil]

Surprisingly, no.  Initially it was but just a couple of drops of oil and the blade opens and closes well.  The can opener is still a bit stiff but the stud on the side means that even it isn't a problem.

[nuphoria]

Quite a find. You're right though, not a good idea to take up another collection habit