Mystery knife

thinreadline · 7th March 2015, 02:41 PM

I have always thought this was Indian , but made for or owned by a European as a hunting knife, and possibly of 19th century origin but I would welcome the views of members . Overall length 14 inches , blade length 9 inches , max blade width 1.7 inches. Very sturdy blade and wooden chequered handle. The name ( presumably of the owner ) T.S. Rendall is on the blade.

Robert · 8th March 2015, 04:44 AM

Hello Thinreadline, While I cannot be of any actual help to you on the identification of this knife I have done a little work on your last photo to hopefully show the detailing of the hilt a little better for someone who can.

Best,
Robert

thinreadline · 8th March 2015, 10:59 AM

Thanks for that Robert, what a difference, cheers.

colin henshaw · 8th March 2015, 02:58 PM

Hi thinreadline,

I think you are probably spot on with your assessment. I believe also bowie-type hunting knives were made in India in the Raj period, for use by colonials...

Tim Simmons · 8th March 2015, 06:15 PM

I do not collect knives or swords anymore but I like to keep my hand in the game to some degree. This is quite informative, taken from "The London Knife Book, an A-Z guide to London Cutlers 1820-1945, by Ron Flook, Pub 2008 Antique Knives Ltd" The engraving on the guard of the picture I post, is of very similar style, perhaps a little finer with fancy scabbard. I would expect this from a retailer like Mappin & Web. Many London knife manufacturers were making this style of knife of various qualities. As the text for the knife says made for colonial export. I think your knife is UK made.

thinreadline · 9th March 2015, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I do not collect knives or swords anymore but I like to keep my hand in the game to some degree. This is quite informative, taken from "The London Knife Book, an A-Z guide to London Cutlers 1820-1945, by Ron Flook, Pub 2008 Antique Knives Ltd" The engraving on the guard of the picture I post, is of very similar style, perhaps a little finer with fancy scabbard. I would expect this from a retailer like Mappin & Web. Many London knife manufacturers were making this style of knife of various qualities. As the text for the knife says made for colonial export. I think your knife is UK made.

Thanks for that .

Tim Simmons · 9th March 2015, 11:45 AM

This 33min video of CA Butterfield & Butterfield collection of knives {Bowie}, is rather amusing and lightly informative. These should be considered acceptable as ethnographic as they are not made as state military arms. Also a pic of one I bought a month or so back for camping. Which is really a little too heavy for my needs. Made in Pakistan, superb quality for your money.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgDLPTAGw-k

7th March 2015, 02:41 PM	#1
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	Mystery knife I have always thought this was Indian , but made for or owned by a European as a hunting knife, and possibly of 19th century origin but I would welcome the views of members . Overall length 14 inches , blade length 9 inches , max blade width 1.7 inches. Very sturdy blade and wooden chequered handle. The name ( presumably of the owner ) T.S. Rendall is on the blade. Attached Images

8th March 2015, 04:44 AM	#2
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hello Thinreadline, While I cannot be of any actual help to you on the identification of this knife I have done a little work on your last photo to hopefully show the detailing of the hilt a little better for someone who can. Best, Robert Attached Images

8th March 2015, 06:15 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I do not collect knives or swords anymore but I like to keep my hand in the game to some degree. This is quite informative, taken from "The London Knife Book, an A-Z guide to London Cutlers 1820-1945, by Ron Flook, Pub 2008 Antique Knives Ltd" The engraving on the guard of the picture I post, is of very similar style, perhaps a little finer with fancy scabbard. I would expect this from a retailer like Mappin & Web. Many London knife manufacturers were making this style of knife of various qualities. As the text for the knife says made for colonial export. I think your knife is UK made. Attached Images

9th March 2015, 11:45 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	This 33min video of CA Butterfield & Butterfield collection of knives {Bowie}, is rather amusing and lightly informative. These should be considered acceptable as ethnographic as they are not made as state military arms. Also a pic of one I bought a month or so back for camping. Which is really a little too heavy for my needs. Made in Pakistan, superb quality for your money. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgDLPTAGw-k Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 9th March 2015 at 12:45 PM.

8th March 2015, 10:59 AM	#3
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	Thanks for that Robert, what a difference, cheers.

8th March 2015, 02:58 PM	#4
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Hi thinreadline, I think you are probably spot on with your assessment. I believe also bowie-type hunting knives were made in India in the Raj period, for use by colonials...