Identifying Old Knife

[Orion]

Hi everyone, I am new to the forum and have just started collecting pocket knives. Thanks for bringing me into the group.

Recently I bought a lot at auction that included an eclectic mix of things. My mum is Austrian and the main reason I bought the lot was for an Austrian 1861 pattern sabre made in Solingen. Among a number of boxes, and hidden in a bunch of old keys, candles and matches was a very interesting looking pocket knife - please see pictures attached.

It is a Swiss Army style with a the classic long and short knife blades, corkscrew, skinning pincer, spike and bottle opener and marked with an anvil on the large blade.

Does anyone know the knife and its make, country of origin and any background on it? My own cursory reading on the Anvil Knives brand suggests different marks and not from this maker, despite the mark being that of an anvil (I could be wrong on this).

Any help in identifying the knife would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

[Steve Warden]

Welcome aboard, Dave!
Nice knife. Unfortunately I have no info to offer. Sorry
Someone should be along soon that can help. Of that, I am sure!

[Orion]

Thanks Steve, I appreciate the reply. Good to meet you!

[zed6309]

This knife really looks like a Richard's Sheffield knife I use to have ?

[Mumbleypeg]

The master blade tang stamp appears to have more on it than is shown in your picture. Can you see anything below that symbol?

Ken

[Orion]

The master blade tang stamp appears to have more on it than is shown in your picture. Can you see anything below that symbol?

Ken

Thanks Ken. A good lead! The inscription below the anvil is ROSTFREI. As you probably already know, German for stainless steel; translates to "rust free".

[Mumbleypeg]

The master blade tang stamp appears to have more on it than is shown in your picture. Can you see anything below that symbol?

Ken

Thanks Ken. A good lead! The inscription below the anvil is ROSTFREI. As you probably already know, German for stainless steel; translates to "rust free".

Ja ja, ich spreche Deutsch! Sorry, I was hoping it was something more helpful. There are some here who know or have resource books about German knife makers, so maybe they’ll see this and enlighten us.

Ken

[Orion]

This knife really looks like a Richard's Sheffield knife I use to have ?

Thanks Zed,

You are right, it does look like a Richards. https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RICHAR ... wkzJfCK2V .The blades and features, including the skinning claw seem to feature in other RIchard's knives as well.

We think it may be German with the "Rostfrei" inscription Ken helped me find. Having said that, I once had a Solingen copy of a Buck fixed blade knife. Post-war, Germany made many knives inspired by the US and and probably UK knife makers to cater to the export market and on consignment for other companies. Maybe they did a run on Richard's copies out of Germany in the 50's or 60's? Hoping a German knife specialist can help bring the knife, its anvil maker's mark, its likeness to a Richard's and the "Rostfrei" together.

[zed6309]

This knife really looks like a Richard's Sheffield knife I use to have ?

Thanks Zed,

You are right, it does look like a Richards. https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-RICHAR ... wkzJfCK2V .The blades and features, including the skinning claw seem to feature in other RIchard's knives as well.

We think it may be German with the "Rostfrei" inscription Ken helped me find. Having said that, I once had a Solingen copy of a Buck fixed blade knife. Post-war, Germany made many knives inspired by the US and and probably UK knife makers to cater to the export market and on consignment for other companies. Maybe they did a run on Richard's copies out of Germany in the 50's or 60's? Hoping a German knife specialist can help bring the knife, its anvil maker's mark, its likeness to a Richard's and the "Rostfrei" together.

Ahh I missed the "Rostfrei" reference lol , got to be German then