Need help with manufacturer of this old knife

[bdev]

I've got this old knife and can't determine who the manufacturer is. Maybe one of you can help.
I can make out "KNIFE WORKS GERMANY" on the tang but the first name is worn down.
I first thought it was UNION but UNION KNIFE WORKS was located in New York State, not Germany.
I'm going by Levine's guide, 2nd edition. It's possible there was a Union Knife Works in Germany but I can't find that info with the books I have.
The first letter could also be an O instead of a U.
What do you think?
Thanks......Bruno

[terryl308]

Goins doesn't list any Union Knife co. in Germany, can't help you out but I really like the old bone handles! Good luck,
Terry

[kootenay joe]

I believe there was a "Germania Knife Works".
kj

[RobesonsRme.com]

Actually, Goins does list Union Knife Works, but he shows them in New York. Dates were 1911 - 1913. He did not state whether they imported their cutlery, but a lot of companies located in New York City at that time did not manufacture, but were importers and distributors, instead.

And he stated the stamps were "curved". This one is not. But, it does look like "UNION" to me.

Charlie Noyes

[XX Case XX]

Could be "Union"...

______
Mike

[terryl308]

Actually, Goins does list Union Knife Works, but he shows them in New York. Dates were 1911 - 1913. He did not state whether they imported their cutlery, but a lot of companies located in New York City at that time did not manufacture, but were importers and distributors, instead.

And he stated the stamps were "curved". This one is not. But, it does look like "UNION" to me.

Charlie Noyes

Charlie, this is the listing I was looking at in Goins, I believe we were looking at the same one. Nothing about German made and the stamp is curved, but they could have used a different stamp? who knows. Terry

[RobesonsRme.com]

Terry, I only posted what I did because you'd stated Goins didn't list a "Union Knife Co." in Germany. I guess I thought you'd gone looking in Goins for that and not "Union Knife Works".

So, yes, we were looking at the same series of listings and we agree that John Goins didn't state Germany and that he did state curved stamp.

John listed in his book the stampings he had actually seen. Then he sought out as much history behind those as he could find.

I suspect the OP knife is associated with the New York firm that Goins referenced.


Charlie

[muskrat man]

I have seen Union Knife Works Germany knives, and it appears that is what you have. I believe they were imported to NY so probably the same one goin's lists. There were an endless number of german tangstamps, I have had several that were not listed in goins and some that were listed with no information or dates available.

[just bob]

When I looked at that stamp I thought it said Dixon and there is one listed in my book in Germany. Is that a possibility?

[RobesonsRme.com]

My first thought was "Dixon", but then I could see Union as a better fit. The first letter does not look like part of a "D".

Charlie

[LongBlade]

Looks like a "U" to me as well - as muskrat said I would agree - Union Knife Works Germany ... I enjoy playing "Wheel of Fortune" with tang stamps ... (Is that old TV show even still on ? )...

[terryl308]

well, glad we got that solved! Nothing "etched in granite" in the old knife world. But a nice bunch of educated guesses got it figured out. Thanks to everyone, Terry

[bighomer]

Looks like a "U" to me as well - as muskrat said I would agree - Union Knife Works Germany ... I enjoy playing "Wheel of Fortune" with tang stamps ... (Is that old TV show even still on ? )...

Yep it's still on LB Pat Sajac and Vana white are bound to be a hundred years old but they look 25.