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A Couple of Old SheffieldPocket Knives
Today I have two very old Sheffield pocket knives for you.
The gentleman I bought them for thought for a long time that the larger knife was an old British Navy knife. Now he thinks it may be a pruner.
Could be. If you remember my post about how confusing these and even Hawkbills can be when the beak has been worn a bit.
To me it does look like a Navy knife, made to get wet and cut rope.
Joseph Allen & Sons was formed in 1864, and he purchased the "NON-XXL" marking in 1884. This is an old company and an old knife.
But not as old as the company that made the 2nd knife...
The smaller knife is a Joseph Rodgers with clear 6 pointed star and cross markings on the tang.
Beautiful, and Rodgers was first graned the right to use the Star and the Cross in 1682!
This knife is just some 2 7/8ths inches long when closed.
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Comment by Smiling-Knife on June 1, 2012 at 11:09
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Just did some reading and found that the single bladed rope knife apparently was issued to the Army at least as far back as the 1870. The Army issued knives have the WD broad arrow mark.
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In Memoriam Comment by Robert Burris on May 31, 2012 at 18:08 -
I love those old Sheffields, thanks for posting them.
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Comment by Lee Saunders on May 31, 2012 at 17:23
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I have two of those (sheepsfoot and spike), but I think at leas one is U.S. I only have a few Military knives, just started picking up some of those lately. I will put them together and take some pics of the group. Look forward to seeing yours.
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You're welcome. A similar knife was also issued for the Army around the time of the Boer War. These were stamped WD for War Department and had the broad arrow -> mark. British Army knives have the broad arrow mark but the Navy knives do not. Your single blade Navy rope knife was replaced in 1910 by the Admiralty Pattern 301. This had a large sheepsfoot and a marline spike. Also very good for wet conditions and cutting rope. It is a beast. Typically, these were not carried in pockets, but rather worn on a lanyard around the waist. I hope this is of interest.
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smiling knife thank you. that is what I was thinking. your expertise is much appreciated. Lee
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That is a British Navy pattern circa very late 1800s or first decade of the 1900s. Very nice old stag on that one.
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