Fancy knife detective work!

[nuphoria]

A friend asked me to try and find out something about a great little knife she was given... I hardly ever say no to a challenge!

I took one look at it, squinted at the hallmarks and said it was probably worth a few quid

So, it was worth a few more than I thought which is exciting! This is one in really good shape, apart from a tiny bit of damage (abuse) to the knife tip, and in obvious need of a clean up etc. It's an absolutely gorgeous little gentlemen's fruit knife type of thing, with brass liners and carved sterling silver scales which seem to depict elephants. The snap is excellent and it has a solid half stop too. It was made by esteemed silversmiths Hilliard & Thomason from here in Birmingham, in 1894.

Here's a little composite pic I made so you can see what I'm talking about:




After a bit of digging, I managed to find an almost identical one which sold at auction for £395:
http://www.bexfield.co.uk/04/f003.htm


I told her to stop keeping it thrown in a drawer and put it in the safe
I was going to clean it up and do a gentle restoration on the blade but I think it's probably best left alone.

[Neil]

For the refined apple eater

I agree about leaving as is

[82brutus]

Nice bit of detective work!!

[badwolf]

Good work. Nice knife, lots of detailing on it, good its still got its original case

[Sean]

Nice looking Fruit knife.  +1 for leaving it be. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Yep leave it as it is

Lovely looking piece though

[sawman]

Beautiful knife...belongs on display 

[nuphoria]

Beautiful knife...belongs on display 

It does really, but that's entirely up to her.... I'd probably clean it a little and put it in my pocket