Two button Sheffield antique

the spotlight kid · Post by **the spotlight kid** » Fri Aug 30, 2002 3:24 pm

Hi guys,I just turned on my T.V. and there was an antiques valuation show on.I was only half watching when they showed a 13"or14" Gamekeepers knife.They described it as Victorian and rather like a swiss army knife.It was large with ivory handles and TWO firing buttons for TWO sprung blades.It was made in Sheffield and presented to the gamekeeper for loyal service.Experts estimate on this beauty £50 !!!I think I could stretch to a little more than that for it!Anybody seen one like this anywhere?Any info Mr.Bill?It was a cracker,and no mention to it being illegal or not.On the B.B.C. aswell!

Cheers the spotlight kid

Post by **Bill DeShivs** » Fri Aug 30, 2002 7:11 pm

No definite info on this one, but there were many handmade knives made by the Sheffield culery houses for presentation, so it could be anything. Generally, presentation pieces were built to order, rather than being production pieces.
Bill

hollowdweller · Post by **hollowdweller** » Sat Aug 31, 2002 1:05 pm

Hey Spotlight,

Speaking of English knives, do you know of any good web sites for any English knifemakers? Don't have to be auto.

TESSA3 · Post by **TESSA3** » Sat Aug 31, 2002 5:50 pm

Mr Hollow.
There are a few U.K. custom
knifemakers that I know of,
such as Mick Wardell-Alan Wood-Mike Lamprey-Peter Henry-Geoff Hague-Rory Connor, sorry if I've missed any, I have examples of their work, and they are GOOD, try a search engine for their sites, or go to
http://www.bkcg.co.uk which is Mike
Harrison's British Knife Collectors Guild site, that is worth a visit.
Cheers
TESSA3

the spotlight kid · Post by **the spotlight kid** » Sat Aug 31, 2002 6:29 pm

Hi Mr. Hollowdweller,The only sites I had for British knifemakers were lost last time my computer went down.I see Tessa has told you a few to look for.The only other link I have is Theos Knife Links at http://lnqs.com/knifelinks/. The only other guy I know makes daggers and Bowies the same as his great grandfather since early 1800's.They are the Middleton Bro's of Sheffield.I can give you an address if you want one of their brochures.I have several of their Bowie knives and each one is a hand forged piece,a work of art.Their prices are good too,around £160 on average for a 10" or even 12" Bowie with beautiful horn and nickel silver castings, such as the half horse half gator traditional design.Beautiful staghorn Bowies aswell.No seconds with this man

,each and everyone a gem.Cheers the spotlight kid.

the spotlight kid · Post by **the spotlight kid** » Sun Sep 01, 2002 9:12 am

Thanks Mr.Bill,you would think there would be more of the old Sheffield made autos around over here in Blighty but I never get to see any.Even though I have a friend in the antiques trade and know a guy that deals in historical weapons and militaria all I have managed to aquire is a small collection of swordsticks,some of which I am restoring.Still, one can only hope to find that little gem oneday.

Cheers the spotlight kid.

Post by **Bill DeShivs** » Sun Sep 01, 2002 12:04 pm

Spot
You would think there were a few more around!
Didn't I see a pic of a Bowie you had, somewhere? "S" guard, clip point, black handle? If so, I would like more information on it, please.
Thanks,
Bill DeShivs

the spotlight kid · Post by **the spotlight kid** » Sun Sep 01, 2002 3:14 pm

Hi Mr.Bill, if it were anyone else but you that asked about the Bowie,I would be sorely tempted to spin them a yarn,like it was passed down through the generations to me!Many have seen it and commented on it's age.It is an 1830's style Bowie,it has a 14 1/4" blade.It has a brass strip along the back of the blade and a brass S guard which has a lone star on one end and the initials JB on the other stamped into it.A friend of a friend works for the Imperial War Museum in London dating and classifying weaponry for them.My friend sent him some photos of my Bowies to give his opinion on.He phoned back in record time to comment on the JAMES BLACK and said he would like to see it sometime soon.This was a golden opportunity to get it identified by an expert,as a genuine James Black is worth in the five or six figure $ bracket!But being the honest type I could not waste his time on what I believe is an authentic copy of an original given to Sam Houston after being taken off a Mexican soldier several weeks after the battle at the Alamo.There is an engraving of him whittling by the fireside with it,also a photo I have seen of said knife which I believe is in the Smithonian Institute.I wish it was the original,or that I could be unscruplous enough to con some poor collector with it,but it is just not in my nature.Hence the confession Despite all this it is an awsome knife that I would have carried with me if I was back in the 1800s as it has an air of confidence to it,if you know what I mean!

Cheers the spotlight kid.

Doofus Emeritus · Post by **Doofus Emeritus** » Sun Sep 01, 2002 9:52 pm

Mr. Spotlight Kid,

I made a visit to The Alamo back in 96. I just cant remember, but it seemed like they had an original Bowie in a display case. Naturally, they dont allow cameras in there. It was interesting. Also, some great Mexican food at The Riverwalk. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Best Regard's

Bonz

Post by **Wally J. Corpse** » Sun Sep 01, 2002 10:34 pm

Greetings, Mr. Doofus Emeritus-

You're wrong. But, alas, ye cannot be corrected. How do ya' like it?

AS ever,

Your ol' pal,

Wally J. Corpse

the spotlight kid · Post by **the spotlight kid** » Sun Sep 01, 2002 10:47 pm

Hi Bonz, the knife they have on display is Rezin Bowies knife,Jim Bowies brother who designed the clip point style blade,most likely the one made famous for the Jim Bowie duels,i.e. the Sandbar fight where he(supposedly) fought 3 men who were armed with single shot pistol, sword cane and knife.Story goes that he dispatched these guys one way or another.After this encounter he was badly injured,and whilst recuperating he happened upon a Blacksmith called James Black and between the two of them they came up with the design for the James Black knife.Much larger and heavier with a brass strip along the back.Brass because it is soft and would catch anothers blade,allowing you to parry the blow as the hard sharp edge got caught in the soft brass. Which to the best of my knowledge there are around ten examples in private collections in the states.Plus the one I mentioned in the Smithsonian Institute.The theory is that Jim Bowie had the two knives with him at the Alamo.I have photos of both.It is my specialist subject, way before switches I was collecting Bowies from the age of 9 when I bought my first Knife.I have always loved switches,since my first one aged 11,but you cannot beat the size confidence and pure legend of a 1830's Bowie.I only collect Bowies with blades over 12"s.Knives are in my blood,they have been since a time I cannot remember.If,and WHEN I win the Lotto,I know what my main vice will be!After that,I will spend a shitload on my knife collection!

Oneday I would like to visit the Alamo,and not get caught pissing up against it like Ozzy Osbourne,and I just LOVE Mexican food!!

Stay cool,Cheers the spotlight kid.

Post by **Bill DeShivs** » Mon Sep 02, 2002 8:44 am

Spot
I believe you should let the expert examine it. I have never seen that particular knife copied accurately. I'm no expert on bowies, but to my knowledge there has only been one other knife marked as yours. I have a cheap copy made by Carvel Hall many years ago.
Bill

The Falcon · Post by **The Falcon** » Mon Sep 02, 2002 11:07 am

Ozzy peed on the Alamo? We should send the Snoop Dogg over to water the Queen's rose garden.

The Falcon

Doofus Emeritus · Post by **Doofus Emeritus** » Mon Sep 02, 2002 5:02 pm

Mr. Spotlight Kid,

That is impressive! I'll have to make the trip to England to learn more about American history. I thought the Alamo tour was neat, but the place was packed with screaming kids and was really loud inside. I couldn't wait to get out of there. The Bowies are fun to heft. I'll be paying closer attention at the next knife show. I never knew that POS ozzy did that. Too bad a real Texan didn't catch him.

Mr. Corpse,

Just what, my dear Sir, am I so wrong about? Mr. Spotlight confirmed it was indeed a Bowie! So there! Nah, nah, nah, NAH! Oh, BTW Mr. Spaghetti Yo-Yo eyeball, your other eye appears to be held in suspended animation. Did ya use too much super-glue on it again?

Best Regard's

Bonz

Vagrant · Post by **Vagrant** » Mon Sep 02, 2002 6:15 pm

Excessive inhalation of cyano-acrylate vapors can cause cental monfussion.