W.R. Case rigging knife

[jcs0001]

I'm not sure if this should be in the collector's area or here so if a mod wishes to move it that would be great.

I was at our local flea market this morning and came across this rigging knife with a Gerber multiplier for scale:



It has a huge marlin spike, a very large blade and a "punch" blade.  The only markings on it are M.S. Ltd XX - at the base of the blade:



The marlin spike and blade are quite stiff but usable however the punch blade is very loose.  Otherwise it's in decent shape and a little cleanup will do wonders.  It is a massive chunk of metal.

I found some good info here indicating that the knife was made from 1948 to the mid 1950's and was made for the Canadian Ministry of Defence.  It was made in Nova Scotia under a subsidiary of WR Case and Son, set up there solely to make this knife for the Canadian Military.  I won't repeat the info I found - it is here:

http://rigger.hegewisch.net/naut_knives.html

It's an interesting bit of history.

If anyone has a better idea of the function of the "punch" blade I'd appreciate it.  It is thick and well capable of putting fairly large holes in cans etc.

John.

[SteveC]

Isn't the "punch blade' an early can opener.

[Ray S]

Nice score! The Case was made as you probably know by Metal Stampings Ltd. which I believe Case owned.The "punch "blade is actually a can opener used by piercing the can at the side of the lid and using the projection as a fulcrum along the rim to open the lid.With a little practice one can get pretty good at opening cans.

[jcs0001]

Thanks for the replies.  Knowing the navy I expect the punch blade got used for a lot of other things too but it's nice to know it was designed as a can opener. 

John.

[Sea Monster]

Lovely knife mate,

I'm a bit of a rigging knife aficionado, and that looks to be a great example. It wants to be used.

Springs on that style of knife are usually pretty stiff.

Don't let it rot in a collection, get it out and let it work.

[greenbear]

Lovely knife mate,

I'm a bit of a rigging knife aficionado, and that looks to be a great example. It wants to be used.

Springs on that style of knife are usually pretty stiff.

Don't let it rot in a collection, get it out and let it work.

Me too and I agree it is crying out to be used 

[jerseydevil]

Very nice!