Anyone knows what this is ... please ?

[fernando]

I assume this is no weapon, nor a toy either; rather 'rafinée' for a toy.
The handle in mother of pearl, the blade and grip spine finely engraved ... and even a double mark on the blade.
Let me not doubt this little knife has a practical purpose.
Your Gentlemen's help would be much appreciated.


.

[Ian]

Hi Fernando,

Seems like it could be used for many different purposes. Certainly a good quality, fancy little knife for someone with money to spend: fancy hilt, nice stamped blade, nice old leather sheath.

Three main thoughts:

• A small utility knife to be worn under a belt or sash
• A concealed knife for a woman
• An assassin's concealed weapon/boot knife

Even short blades like this one can be lethal weapons in the right hands.

Where do you think it is from?

[fernando]

Thank you Ian.
Yes, a cute little thing indeed. I first thought it could not be a weapon due to lack of robustness, as it looked, handle and all, but i see now that the blade feels quite strong.
I doubt i will never know its origin, or even provenance. I bought it over here in a not so close street fair, one i don't often go. I will take it as Portuguese by adoption.

[Kmaddock]

Hi Fernando,
The shagreen scabbard looks like that found on Trousse eating sets from SEA
Trousse knives also have the scabbard covering a lot of the handle as with your example.
The knife fits in with size and shape for eating so perhaps this is what it is?

V nice and great to have the scabbard.

Regrads,

Ken

[fernando]

Thank you Ken. The scabbard material has some texture but it looks to me like some kind of paper ...or cardboard, so to say.
Well, you could say that its size is just about right ... for dessert .

[fernando]

I see what you mean Ken ... after browsing on eating trousses. It is just that my piece is smaller than all seen out there ... so far.

[Akanthus]

Originally Posted by fernando

I assume this is no weapon, nor a toy either; rather 'rafinée' for a toy.
The handle in mother of pearl, the blade and grip spine finely engraved ... and even a double mark on the blade.
Let me not doubt this little knife has a practical purpose.
Your Gentlemen's help would be much appreciated.


.

Hi Fernando,
The knife looks like a piece of a carter's cutlery of the late18th.or 19th.century .But fork and spoon are missing.I think it's made for preparing food.

[fernando]

Hi Akanthus.
Now you git me a bit confused ...
The Carter Cutlery i spot in the Internet started operating in 1997, with Japanese blades smithing. When you say my example dates from the 18th, or 19th century, you mean its style, not the actual age, right ?
Another thing; if this knife belongs in a set that is missing the fork and spoon, could it be that each of them has a separate scabbard ?
Still another question; why would they need all three knife, fork and spoon to 'prepare' food ... and why so small ?
Hopefully you will enlighten us .

[Kmaddock]

Hi Fernando


Looking at this interesting knife it does not look like it was designed for a quick draw from the scabbard as there is only a small amount protruding from the scabbard.

if this is the case then it is not a weapon so what is it for, pruning knives tend to have a curve eating knives generally come with other implement.

How about a fruit knife for peeling fruit, these tend to be dainty enough and the size would be about right?

Regards,

Ken

[fernando]

Not to my eyes, Ken. Blade would be o.k. but not the handle. Peeling fruit requires some strengtgh; a task for the whole hand.

[Akanthus]

Originally Posted by fernando

Hi Akanthus.
Now you git me a bit confused ...
The Carter Cutlery i spot in the Internet started operating in 1997, with Japanese blades smithing. When you say my example dates from the 18th, or 19th century, you mean its style, not the actual age, right ?
Another thing; if this knife belongs in a set that is missing the fork and spoon, could it be that each of them has a separate scabbard ?
Still another question; why knife,fork would they need all three knife, fork and spoon to 'prepare' food ... and why so small ?
Hopefully you will enlighten us .

Hi Fernando,i will try to explain it.
A Carter's Cutlery in cental Europe is a combination of knife,fork ,spoon and others in one scabbard.Some knifes of the 19th.century are very similar to yours.( Picture 1 ,2.quater of the 19th.century,taken from Zentrum für Trachtengewand) The cutlery was taken for eating on journeys,because nearly everybody had his own cutllery .
Your knife is single in it' scabbard but is sufficient for peeling an apple or cutting a sausage.In the post " Kabinettstück September 2019 " from the Zentrum fürTrachtengewand
It is mentioned that a coachman really only needed a simple knife to cut a rein or other leather strips in case of emergency .
( Picture 2 from Hermann Historica München)

[fernando]

Duly noted. Thank you so much .