Help on ID large fixed blade

[terryl308]

Just bought this knife at a local gun show and was wondering if anyone ever heard of N.R. Wilson from Limon,Co? That is what is scratched on the blade in front of the guard and the opposite side has a "2" on it. The handle has a name (Frank M. Ashcraft) engraved on the bottom of the tang (owner, I assume). The blade is made of 3/16" thick carbon steel and is almost 8 inches long. The double guard is nickel silver and the antler handle has 3 brass pins and has shrunk a little over the years. The butt seems to be forged with the tang. It is a well built knife and everything is tight. I've tried to Google the names and haven't come up with anything, I know this is a long shot but hoping someone has heard of the maker. No sheath by the way, but I made one. Thanks, Terry

[Doc B]

I'm no help, on the origins of your knife; but, it is a very nice looking one!

[tunefink]

I do not know the maker, but the construction is very reminiscent of a Rudy Ruana knife. Google vintage Ruana's and I think you will see the influence. Cool old knife, congrats.

[doglegg]

Terry no help from me but it is a very impressive knife. Do be so modest, show us the sheath.

[knife7knut]

Terry:You might try contacting Steve Nolen in Longmont CO.He is a custom knifemaker as was his dad and uncle and he might know the name.

[terryl308]

Thanks for the responses, I emailed the news paper in Limon this am and will let you know if they have any info. I will try Steve nolen also. I can see the Ruana influence and have owned a few,, Rudy also used a elec. pencil to write his name on some of his knives, ,maybe this Wilson was a student of his? I'll send a photo of the sheath I made, nothing fancy , just something to put the knife in. Terry

[doglegg]

Great work on the sheath. They go well together.

[terryl308]

Dogleg, My investigation worked! The lady from the Limon paper put it on their facebook and I got 4 responses. I sold the knife back to the makers nephew and his granddads name is on the knife so they were pretty excited to get it back, The old gentleman who made it is 92 years old and made it in the 50's and was a welder/blacksmith back in Limon, Co. He is coming up on Friday to pick it up. No Ruana connection. Made my day to return it to the family. Renewed my faith in people, there are a few around yet. Terry

[doglegg]

Terry that is a great ending to the story. I bet the nephew is excited. Is the maker coming with him to pick it up? Would be wonderful to meet him. You and he would have a lot in common as you are both knife makers. Wow, thanks for giving us the rest of the story.

[terryl308]

Doglegg, No the maker isn't coming along, I believe he lives quite a few miles away from Limon, which is about 150 miles from here, so probably too long a trip for the ole boy. Maybe I can get down to see him some day. I'll have more info about him after the guy picks up the knife on Friday. Terry

[steve99f]

Terry that is a very good thing you are doing, well done!

[knife7knut]

I love stories like this! This is what makes knife accumulation so worthwhile. Good show Terry!

[terryl308]

Thanks 99f & all, it seemed like right thing to do, I hope I can meet Mr. Wilson some day soon. I am a history nut and enjoy reading about local history , Just finished a book called "Cheyenne War" by Jeff Broome. It is about the Indians and settlers on the Denver Road haulng freight just south of where I live 1864-69, a lot of local history which I really like to read about. I guess I got off the subject! Terry
"

[terryl308]

The end of my story, Rick Ashcraft came up last Friday and got his Granddads knife. He brought along a butcher knife that his granddad built also. Happy ending! I am the short ugly guy, Rick is the tall one. Terry

[doglegg]

This whole story turned out sweet. Thanks for keeping us informed.

[terryl308]

Follow up, Mike Hangas of Ruana Knives did email me back and confirmed it was not one of Rudy's knives. I thought it was nice of him to take the time to respond. Terry