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Comment by Jon Duncan on July 11, 2013 at 15:27

So this was listed on ebay as a "Franco-Prussian War French regimental knife." The listing was closed, but perhaps another lead to follow!

Comment by Jon Duncan on July 11, 2013 at 15:05

Thanks, everyone! I agree, the mission shall continue.

Comment by Chuck Parham on July 11, 2013 at 14:38

As far as value for the knife, that's going to depend first on identifying the knife or finding someone who wants it badly enough to make you part with it before you know what it is. That would take a hefty price for me. I suggest you find out exactly what it is before deciding how much it's worth. Sometimes when you have an unusual piece long enough it grows on you and you won't want to sell it. You may need to explore other sites made up of people from France or Spain to get more definitive information but iKC is a great place to begin your quest for information. Keep us posted with your results, please.

Comment by Smiling-Knife on July 11, 2013 at 13:37

Steve, you're right that there was a Gilbert Bros Sheffield maker in the 1800s. I agree with previous posts that this appears to be a French knife. That's all I have at the moment.

Comment by Jon Duncan on July 11, 2013 at 13:20

Thanks Chuck! Very helpful. Any idea on value, or is that pretty subjective on an odd ball like this?

Comment by Chuck Parham on July 11, 2013 at 6:15

I forgot to add a picture of one made today. OOOPS Sorry!

Comment by Chuck Parham on July 11, 2013 at 6:13

This knife dates back a hundred years or so. It's a Navaja style knife. Originally manufactured in Spain and France. It is missing a pull ring on the top of the lock which was used to pull the lock open to release the blade so it could be opened. Handles were moer often made from bone or antler tines. These knives are still being produced today along with numerous variations of the lock style. I can find no other information on Gibert or the sickle on your knife that would further help indentify it. There are numerous listings for a Pedro Gibert who is a modern day maker form Los Alamos, but nothing from the time this knife was apparently made. There are also metions of sickle markings but not on a knife like yours and not connected with knives in general. Hope this adds another piece to your puzzle. Isn't it fun to try to find out information on older knives? One piece of the puzzle at a time makes a whole picture! Good luck!

Comment by Jon Duncan on July 10, 2013 at 23:47

Max, that's a gorgeous specimen, the most similar I've seen. Interest, Perray sounds French to me, as does Gilbert. Perhaps some French-Indian trading?

Comment by Jon Duncan on July 10, 2013 at 23:44

Yes, Sue, it does lock with a switch on the top. Thanks for the comments, I look forward to finding out more! I did get some Internet hits for Gilbert knives, but it reads clearly "Gibert." I even tried doing a search for a Gibert farm implement company (because of sickle logo) with no luck.

Comment by Max McGruder on July 10, 2013 at 23:19

I have something like that one by a person named Perray! never really found alot about him other than a name,it's alockback and you pull the ring to release the lock.Perray A Nogent is all I found in an old knife book.

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