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Looking for info on this A. Tavella knife

New member, first post, be gentle.

I've been trying to do research on this knife that my dad purchased while he was in the Navy, on board the USS Roosevelt, sometime between 1954 and 1958. He was on board ship in the Mediterranean and spent some time ashore in Italy, where he purchased this knife, to the best of my knowledge. Dad kept it in his sock drawer for years and years, and, when he passed away in 2009, it came to me. I found it funny for him to have purchased such a display knife, as he was the epitome of function over form, but I suppose he wanted a souvenir from his time there.

The knife is 7" long closed, 11.5" OAL when opened. It has stamped on the tang rostfrei, which I believe is Italian for "rust free" or their own designation to being stainless steel. The other side of the tang is stamped A.Tavella, with a flying horse logo above it. I've traced the name A. Tavella to a website in Italy that is a large knife dealer, selling many different brands, and that has been in business since 1932. I';ve emailed them several times, sent them pictures, but have received nothing in return. I think the knife may have been made by the Fox company, and then badged with the Tavella logo. I also believe the horn/antler is from a roe deer, a small European species.

Beyond this information, I have hit a brick wall. I'm looking for info on the value, if any, of this knife, if there is a collectible market for it, etc. I have my dad's gun, which mean much more to me then the knife, and it currently just sits my sock drawer as it did dad's. My dad always said to be practical with our earthly possessions, and I would rather use the money from the sale of the knife towards firearms for my four sons and myself to shoot, then let it sit hidden away surrounded by Fruit of the Loom.

Thanks for your time and any help you can provide.

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Permalink Reply by Sue OldsWidow on April 8, 2015 at 20:21

Rostfrei is not a branded word for a German knife, but it is the German descriptive word for a knife made from stainless steel. The word, when translated, means "rust-free." This type of knife, when stamped with the word "rostfrei," usually originates from a German-speaking country, such as Switzerland, or from Germany. Most of the knives originate from the German town of Solingen, and some vintage knives date to 1912.

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Permalink Reply by Sue OldsWidow on April 8, 2015 at 20:25

It was made during the 1950s by the Italian firm of A. Tavella. Their trademark was "Pegasus", the flying-horse of Greek Mythology. The image of Pegasus is stamped on the front tang. found this about another stag handled knife description

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on April 8, 2015 at 20:29

Taylor- First welcome to IKC !! Secondly, we are a friendly bunch and are always gentle-- BTW, for your first pics, they are better than most of mine !! LOL-- Now, about your knife- First off, You are probably right about the vintage and the stag-- However, I believe your knife may have been actually made by Tavella- Fox came later in the timeline-- I have some more bits and snippets, but will wait til I have more of the full story-- Just wanted to let you know I am on the hunt !!- BTW, that is a beautiful knife although the stag is not very practical as anything other than a looker-- OUCH !!- Info on this knife is scarce but I will do my best to update you on it-- Stay tuned-- Will provide more in a day or two--- Once again, welcome to IKC !!