Knives from the Bay... Chesapeake Bay, that is.

[Miller Bro's]

I think I can see a remnant of part of the symbol that wore away. It looks like it might be the end of the line that is perpendicular to the line that goes through the "S."

What you are seeing is the top of the trademark and yes it is worn from the blade being opened and closed. The mark is upside down, see the attachment below for the proper orientation of the trademark.

This trademark is from John Sellers in Sheffield England, the information on this maker can be found in Geoff Tweedale`s excellent book. The trademark was officially granted in 1838, they had a sales office in N.Y and his brother ran operations on this side of the pond.

This link has the info from Tweedale`s book if you don`t have a copy; http://strazors.com/index.php?id=449&do ... _sheffield_

If you look at the original ad I posted below you will see they manufactured "Fine Pen Knives, Razors, Surgeons` Instruments" among other things.

No doubt in my mind Sellers made the knife on contract for S. Jackson and probably even made the surgeons instruments he sold as well. Until I see more proof Jackson made his own knives I got to believe Sellers made them.

I love knife history!

[dcgm4]

Thanks for the info, Dimitri. I'm convinced John Sellers made the whittler. The dates both cutlers were in business match up and the symbols look the same to me.

Finding connections like these between old knife companies is one of the best things about this hobby. There's a wealth of history out there, and it doesn't get much better than when you find out something new that rewrites the history.

[FRJ]

I didn't know of this thread; this is terrific stuff. Thanks every one.

PS: Carlin Hulfish Gunstock Pg. 1. is mighty fine!

[dcgm4]

PS: Carlin Hulfish Gunstock Pg. 1. is mighty fine!

Thanks, Joe. That gunstock is a favorite of mine just because it helped me figure out that Tidioute Cutlery was the company (or at least one of the companies) that made knives for Carlin-Hulfish Co.

[Miller Bro's]

Here is some better information I have found on the mark.

The first photo below is from an ad published by Sellers it can be found in Tweedale`s book. If you look to the left of the company trademark, that I thought was on the tang of these blades, I now find the exact mark used it is a "S" sideways identified as the "Signal" trademark.

Below is a copy of the ad and a comparison photo of the mark.

To top it all off there is a picture of my knife, which I have had for quite some time and never found the time to research, it has the Sellers trademark on the back tang of the knife blade, the manicure blade is marked Empire Knife Co. I can`t locate the knife at the moment so I will rely on my file photos for now. It has puzzled me why it would have this mark on it as I have never seen another Empire knife with this mark.

Which leaves me with the conclusion that just maybe in the later days of their being in business and not doing well economically they contracted out these knives to Sellers, Empire closed due to the depression so anything is possible the final story is yet to be written on this subject.

[FRJ]

Great detective work, Dimitri. That's obviously a unique Empire. It would be nice to find information on that.

[Miller Bro's]

Thank you Joe

[dcgm4]

Great information, Dimitri! Thanks a lot!

Also, very cool Empire!

[dcgm4]

It's been a while since I've updated this thread. Got quite a few to add.

1. Albert & Meyer (Miller Bros. contract knife) c. 1888-1892 Baltimore, MD
2. U.S. Cut. Co. (Schrade contract knife) c. 1904-1946 Baltimore, MD
3. Duke-Peterson Hardware Co. c. 1905-1921 Baltimore, MD
4. Duke-Peterson Hardware Co. c. 1905-1921 Baltimore, MD
5. Watkins Cottrell Co. c. 1876-? Richmond, VA

[junebug]

not old...... but stamped/laser etched: BALTIMORE


Snakehead knives
RON MYERS
Baltimore,MD

[dcgm4]

Cool knives, bug! The grind on those blades is sweet!

[dcgm4]

Not a knife, but I got this Charles Leonard razor to add to my collection. The handle and tang are marked with a bear holding a walking stick. On the handle it says "Will Inspection" around the logo. The box for the razor also has the bear trademark on it. I thought I had seen this trademark before, so I did some research.

I found out that the trademark was used by T. Hessenbruch & Co. (later H. Hessenbruch Co.) from 1873 to 1906. They imported knives and other cutlery from Germany. This leads me to believe that Charles Leonard Hardware either contracted Hessenbruch to supply them with some straight razors or bought the trademark after H. Hessenbruch Co. closed its doors.

[1967redrider]

I was walking through City Hall today and noticed this. Apologies for the phone pic. I had been wondering what this place looked like. There were about 4 major hardware stores in Alexandria, once upon a time.

[dcgm4]

That's very cool, redrider! I love seeing historical things like that. Thanks for posting it!

[1967redrider]

I just fished my first knife out of the Chesapeake Bay area, thanks to Herb, had a great time today talking knives with a few brews.

Goins mentions U.S. Cut. Co. but nothing about U.S. CUT CO. BALTO, MD. Thanks to Dave's post above with a nearly identical pen knife.

[Ridgegrass]

dcgm4:Here's a "M.KESMODEL" ,12 Park Ave., Baltimore. They were a general cutlery dealer. The blade is etched. Must have sat in the light some time; the mark-side scale is faded. Don't know who made them. The jigging is distinctive.(Utica?) Nice snappy piece. Stamp is: M. KESMODEL (half moon) over BALTIMORE, both blades. Really like your group. That Jackson is a rare bird !!
If you're local to Delmarva, bring your stuff to Berlin this Saturday. See my post 'September Knife Show in Maryland."

Hope to see you, J.O'.

[doglegg]

I just fished my first knife out of the Chesapeake Bay area, thanks to Herb, had a great time today talking knives with a few brews.

Goins mentions U.S. Cut. Co. but nothing about U.S. CUT CO. BALTO, MD. Thanks to Dave's post above with a nearly identical pen knife.

[1967redrider]

Thanks, dog.


Sorry I'm going to miss that show, J.O'. Herb had talked about going, will have to check to see if he still is or not. Nice looking knife.

[Ridgegrass]

Here's another Martin Kesmodel Jr., Baltimore knife. Looks like someone scrounged the silver mounts off of it. And a steak knife set etched,
"Made for HUTZLER'S, Baltimore" in Sheffield, England. Probably 40's or 50's, Bakelite handles. There's also lots of Carvel Hall, Crisfield, Maryland cutlery to be found here on the Eastern Shore. Just some local Chesapeake items. J.O'.

[doglegg]

Cool knives JO

[Ridgegrass]

Thanks, I bought the Hutzler's knife set in a junk shop because my Mom worked at Hutzler's in the 50's. It was a classy, old time, downtown department store. I actually have a 1964 British Seagull outboard motor from their sporting goods department. Those kind of stores are gone forever. Now we have WalMart !! J.O'.