French Chatellerault 'pocket' knife

TimW · 23rd February 2012, 05:11 PM

I just acquired this rather big pocket knife. The knife originates from the French town of Chatellerault and was made between 1830 and 1850. The blade can be locked in open position. The handle is made of nickel silver (or similar), turtle, pearl and bone. The bone is embellished with a knight / bird pattern. The knife is immense: 28 cm closed, 54 cm open!

Enjoy!

fernando · 23rd February 2012, 07:42 PM

Very nice piece, TimW,
Say, how did you find out it was a Chatellerault specimen in the first place ?
Did you know that before you acquired it, as having consulted that book?
... Just curious, as it is often so hard to find out the origin of things

TimW · 23rd February 2012, 10:45 PM

About 2 years ago I found a similar knife and did some research (first thaught it was spanish). When I saw it on an Ebay-like website I immediately knew what it was...

laEspadaAncha · 23rd February 2012, 11:56 PM

Just a stunning knife, Tim... Absolutely beautiful.

Not only does it appeal to me as an early European folder, but the workmanship is very fine, and the size!

Fires for me on all cylinders.

ETA: The knife looked vaguely familiar, and sure sure enough I found a near-exact match in an old auction catalog from 2005. The only differences are a) your example has three sets of parallel lines engraved on the bolster while the example in my auction catalog has two, and b) your example is in better condition.

Other than that, the length, design, grip scale (only the reverse is shown in my catalog), and tortoiseshell inserts are a dead ringer.

Multumesc · 24th February 2012, 11:37 AM

It is very interesting knife. It's very nice.

napoleon · 23rd February 2012, 11:02 PM

must have very big pockets! regards napoleon

23rd February 2012, 05:11 PM	#1
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	French Chatellerault 'pocket' knife I just acquired this rather big pocket knife. The knife originates from the French town of Chatellerault and was made between 1830 and 1850. The blade can be locked in open position. The handle is made of nickel silver (or similar), turtle, pearl and bone. The bone is embellished with a knight / bird pattern. The knife is immense: 28 cm closed, 54 cm open! Enjoy! Attached Images

23rd February 2012, 11:56 PM	#4
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Just a stunning knife, Tim... Absolutely beautiful. Not only does it appeal to me as an early European folder, but the workmanship is very fine, and the size! Fires for me on all cylinders. ETA: The knife looked vaguely familiar, and sure sure enough I found a near-exact match in an old auction catalog from 2005. The only differences are a) your example has three sets of parallel lines engraved on the bolster while the example in my auction catalog has two, and b) your example is in better condition. Other than that, the length, design, grip scale (only the reverse is shown in my catalog), and tortoiseshell inserts are a dead ringer. Last edited by laEspadaAncha; 24th February 2012 at 01:54 AM.

23rd February 2012, 11:02 PM	#6
napoleon Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 88	very nice must have very big pockets! regards napoleon

23rd February 2012, 07:42 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Very nice piece, TimW, Say, how did you find out it was a Chatellerault specimen in the first place ? Did you know that before you acquired it, as having consulted that book? ... Just curious, as it is often so hard to find out the origin of things

23rd February 2012, 10:45 PM	#3
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	About 2 years ago I found a similar knife and did some research (first thaught it was spanish). When I saw it on an Ebay-like website I immediately knew what it was...

24th February 2012, 11:37 AM	#5
Multumesc Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Romania Posts: 203	It is very interesting knife. It's very nice.