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Permalink Reply by Ms Data on April 5, 2015 at 19:38

Hi Scott.

Does it have a tang stamp you could get pics of?  Or closer pics of the engraving on the side that starts with John . . . something.  There may be some clues to manufacture there.

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Permalink Reply by scott w on April 5, 2015 at 20:13

Ms. I have added the tang stampings and a close up of the engraving. It look like G E Finly? or somthing to that effect. This is an interesting piece and I would love to know the history behind it, Looking forward to your response.

Attachments:

• knife 4.jpg, 3.6 MB
• knife 5.jpg, 1.8 MB

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on April 5, 2015 at 20:57

Holly Mfg Co ..info
more info
and more info

That's an old knife you have there.

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Permalink Reply by Ms Data on April 6, 2015 at 19:50

I found one listing, just as a reference price, but yours looks like it could be silver.  Very interesting knife.  What's the story behind it?

http://www.cajuncutlery.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&pr...

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Permalink Reply by scott w on April 6, 2015 at 20:05

Ms Data,

I picked this up at an auction here in NC last Saturday. I was born and raised in Connecticut and moved to NC 4 years ago and I was familair with Holley Mfg but this is a very unique piece and it is Sterling silver. I am trying to make out the name stamp which I beleive is John W Toll but I am waiting for a friend to come by with a microscope to see for sure, I have added the best pic I have of the name.

Attachments:

• knife 6.jpg, 419 KB

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Permalink Reply by scott w on April 6, 2015 at 20:51

I am able to make out the name on the peanut end. It appears to be John W Tyler

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 6, 2015 at 20:56

Great Links there Dale!  Thanks for the info

D ale said:

Holly Mfg Co ..info
more info
and more info

That's an old knife you have there.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Squier on April 6, 2015 at 21:30

Hard to tell from your pictures, there too big for me to download some of them but it looks like a waiters knife, used to open wine bottles. the small blade used to cut the foil off tthe top before pulling the cork. Very neat, Salisbury is about 45 minutes down the road from me. 

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on April 7, 2015 at 15:05

Scott-- first off, here are your Holley pics-

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on April 7, 2015 at 15:21

Scott- here are 2 of the pics rotated and enhanced a little of particular interest-

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Permalink Reply by Michael Squier on April 7, 2015 at 15:46

wow, what a neat knife. Forget my waiter knife description from above now that I can see the whole thing. But im sure a few bottles of wine were opened with it in the past 100 years or so. Also, Lakeville is a small old town that is the home of Lime Rock park racetrack. I wouldnt be surpised if the Holley Mfg building or its remains werestill there .

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on April 7, 2015 at 16:00

Scott- Now a little info--The Holley  Mfg, Co, tang stamp dates it from circa 1854-1930's--However, your knife probably dates no later than than 1905-1915 (depending on the reference guide).Holley rejected the use of grinding machines such as the Hemming automatic grinding machine developed in 1903, and other mechanized production methods, and continued to hand make and grind their blades. However, their competitors did. Holley abandoned their national sales and began selling only locally.  After they abandoned their national sales, their sales dropped from $50,000 a year to $10,000 in sales. Depending on the source, this happened in the 1905-1915 period until they folded in the 1930's. This is why I think your knife is early, as I can't imagine they would contract a silversmith,etc.  with a very limited market like they had in later years. Now, a little more on your knife- First Holley knives in general are very  rare in themselves and a high value collectible. Some, not all, claim they were the first USA knife MANUFACTURING Co.-I have spent the better part of 2 days going through every available resource I have, and can't find another example of this knife. The 2 birds in a cloud stamp on the secondary blade is also unusual - Not a known Holley stamp I can find, as they normally used the same stamp on both blades-- I believe that stamp may actually be the silversmith stamp-- The S in the center  was often used in old silversmiths makers marks to indicate sterling, even in Sheffield and Solingen--  Rare and valuable knife-- Fascinating!!-- I'll keep digging-- I know I have seen that strange 2 bird logo before, just can't seem to find it now.

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