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1800's MOUNTAIN KNIFE IDENTIFICATION

Hi all! Been meaning to join up for quite some time, but just never got around to it. (sound familiar?). At any rate, I have acquired a pretty unique mountain knife. It appears to have been fashioned from an military saber but so far, I've gotten nothing but eye strain and a headache trying to match up the somewhat indistinguishable tang marks. I sure would be obliged if one of you experts could help me ID it.

The blade is 15 1/2" from tip to the guard.

Thanks, and looking forward to a long and interesting trip through the world of knives.

Tags: Bone, handle

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Parham on August 11, 2013 at 5:33

It's definitely a former sabre. You did a great job on indentifying the manufacturer from the tang stamp. I'm still trying to find out the blade sweep design and dimensions. The bone appears to be an upper leg bone where it joins the hip. What kind of animal?? Maybe deer from the size of it. This is an extremely interesting piece! Keep us posted as to any further info you come across as will I.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Nollett on August 11, 2013 at 5:55

Thanks for the information Paul. That is a very interesting piece.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on August 11, 2013 at 16:20

I have certainly enjoyed it and would never have guessed from the tang the link to The Simmons Hardware Co.

Excellent research and thanks for sharing with us

PAUL S GAGNON said:

*****UPDATE******* Decided to do additional research on this rather than work outside in humid 90 degree weather. It paid off

The tang stamp actually reads S.H. Co., Little Gaint, St. Louis. The Simmons Hardware Co. was established around 1859 and was the same company that manufactured Keen Kutter pocket knives in New York. Here is an interesting link:

http://www.thckk.org/history/simmons-hdwe.pdf . So it would appear that the knife itself was married up with a brass guard

( military sabre?) and finished with a bone handle. While part of the mystery has been resolved, the more intriguing aspect of it is the process that someone went through in creating this unique piece, and what it was used for.

Thanks to the folks who have taken an interest in my post. I hope you have enjoyed viewing the knife.