Military Clasp Knives

I think that the Indian knives were made by local factories roughly following the British pattern but with no direct connection to any Sheffield firms as far as I am aware. Sorry Jack, I don't know what the MAAB mark stands for.

This WWI era knife was made by Hunter Sheffield in the 6353/1905 pattern but with stag rather than the typical buffalo horn scales. It has a Broad Arrow I mark which was British GI for use by troops in India. The blade condition is on the rough side but it's somewhat rare.

Hunter1.jpg

Hunter2.jpg
 
Thanks Steve :thumbup: I remember reading something a LONG time ago about the manufacture of knives in India in the early days with Sheffield influence but honestly need to re-dig... and re-read.

I LOVE the Stag on that knife, With the Clasp ( IXL ) I picked up a WW1 period Jack - Stag, Sheffield and it just has a tin opener on it with the main, again I will post photos soon - its no gem though :o
 
Lovely to see that S-K :)

That sounds interesting Duncan, looking forward to seeing your pics :thumbup:

It sounds like you got a bargain Dave :thumbup:

Jack Black said:
I was planning to take those pics today, but I have a large Kiwi petitioning me to go out for a Sunday roast! :D
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I quickly took these pics while my mate Kiwi Ned was on his way round to whisk me off to the Crown Carvery, or wherever it was. I'll try to take more detailed pics soon (it took me over an hour to upload these! :eek:), but apart from at least one knife I missed, these are what I have at present. It's a pattern I do like to collect, but not obsessively, and I've given numerous examples away. I've also been the grateful beneficiary of the kindness of several friends who've given or sent me clasp knives :)







Brief details for the first pic are as follows (please excuse the pattern abbreviations):

Top Row: Harrison Brothers & Howson (301), Joseph Rodgers (WW1), Wostenholm (WW1), Slater 1938 (WW1), Nowill (Hybrid), J.Allen (WW2 Navy), Richards 1944 (WW2), Joseph Rodgers 1939 (WW2), Slater 1940 (WW2), Taylor's Eye Witness 1944 (WW2), 'Sheffield, England' (WW2).

Bottom Row: Libert 1951 (Belgian), Taylor's Eye Witness (WW2), Bisby & Co (WW2 2-blade), William Rodgers (WW2 2-blade), Wostenholm (WW2 2-blade), Sheffield Steel Products 1944 (WW2 2-blade), Wade & Butcher 1944 (WW2 2-blade), Needham (NAAFI), Herbert Robinson (Single Sheepsfoot), Thompson 1954 (Burma), Slater 1952 (Burma), Thompson 1953 (Burma), 'Sheffield England' (Contemporary 3-blade).
 
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Clasp knife porn alert :D
Great knives there Jack, thanks for posting the pics. I must admit I covet your WW1's that's a pattern I really like.
I'm finding these type's of knife quite addictive :)
Cheers
Dave
 
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Thanks Dave, I'm sure you'll come across more examples of the WW1 pattern. They're interesting knives for sure, but not a lot of practical use these days - a huge blade, and a can-opener more dangerous than the blade! :eek: :D Probably the most interesting I had of this pattern was one I gave away to another member here, made by Camillus for Keen Kutter in 1915, and quite a rarity. I'm sure my friend won't mind me posting a few pics. Incredible that these knives are still around considering their special place in history :thumbup:

Jack





 
Oh Man!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

I KNEW this was going to be just great!!! Jack - that line up is just awesome!....Mate thank you....Great background...Im going back for another look Buddy! :thumbup:
 




The big one I found amongst a pile of my fathers knives that I inherited last year .
The small one I've only just got, I don't even know if it belongs in a Military knife thread , sorry if it doesn't .

Ken
 
QJerry said:
Lovely collection, thank you Jack.
This thread made me buy clasps, it's all your fault :p
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Campbellclanman said:
Oh Man!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

I KNEW this was going to be just great!!! Jack - that line up is just awesome!....Mate thank you....Great background...Im going back for another look Buddy! :thumbup:
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Thanks guys :)

Nice Ken, does the big one have any markings?

Jack
 


This is the first knife in my group shot above. It’s a British Admiralty Pattern 301 (AP301) made by Harrison Brothers & Howson of Sheffield, which I've shown in this thread before. The knife came into service with the Royal Navy around 1910, and it was the first British Navy pattern to have a marlin spike. It’s a large, heavy knife, 4 ¾”, not including the heavy copper shackle, with a 3 ½” Sheepsfoot blade, and a marlin spike only slightly shorter. The stag covers of this pattern were replaced with aluminium scales around 1932.
 


















The second knife in my group photo is a British 6353/1905 knife, generally referred to as the WW1 pattern. The pattern was adopted in 1905, and the early knives had stag covers, like Smiling Knife’s beautiful example above. The covers were changed to buffalo horn (like this example) in 1913. Later, Bexoid was used, and I’ve also seen examples of this pattern with covers of compressed fibre or leather.

The WW1 knife was the first British military pattern to incorporate a can-opener, though it’s a rather brutal affair. The knife is marginally longer than the AP301 above, with a spearpoint blade 3 3/8” long, and a slightly curved marlin spike of 4”.

This example is made by Joseph Rodgers & Sons of Sheffield.

The copper shackle is rather bent. This may have occurred while the knife was being carried, attached to the belt, but I suspect the bend (like those on other knives I’ve seen) may have been put in deliberately to allow the knife to sit better when being carried.
 
Next along is another WW1, this time by Wostenholm of Sheffield, and kindly sent to me by Brad (Ptradeco). I imagine the can-opener took some serious abuse before it broke! :eek:





 
Moving along, the third WW1 pattern, the fourth knife in the top row of my group shot, was made by HM Slater of Sheffield in 1938.

 
Great collection of military knives Jack. Thanks for posting them. Your Wostenholm has the Canadian Government issue mark Broad Arrow inside a C. I like your knives too Harronek. Who was the maker of your WWI knife?

Here's another example of the Admiralty Pattern 301. This one made by Joseph Allen and Sons.

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smiling-knife said:
Great collection of military knives Jack. Thanks for posting them. Your Wostenholm has the Canadian Government issue mark Broad Arrow inside a C.
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Thank you my friend, and thanks for the info too, very interesting :)

That's a very nice 301 :thumbup:
 
Great photo's & knives gentlemen :thumbup:
Yes Jack, i'm certainly hoping to track down another WW1. Whilst touring car-boots sales etc, I'm always looking for those in particular, I'm hoping that their size will make them easy to spot ! That Camillus one is very interesting - I've never seen in the photo's I've looked at before of this pattern one marked "oil the joints".
Cheers
Dave:)
 
Good luck Dave, I've had them for as little as £1! It's good that there are still a few around :thumbup:

The Camillus/Keen Kutter knife is shown in one of Bernard Levine's books.

Happy Hunting :)

Jack
 
There are some Great knives in here!!, Jack - the J.R is great - that Harrison Bros is absolutely stunning - as is yours SK- I just adore the early Joseph Allen knives as well - and their great stampings, the Stag models in this Thread are simply fantastic Knives - Thank you so much for showing us!
 
smiling-knife said:
You're welcome Jack. Thanks very much for the compliment on my 301. This Wostenholm is similar to yours.
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It's always a treat to see your knives S-K, you really do have an outstanding collection :)

Campbellclanman said:
There are some Great knives in here!!, Jack - the J.R is great - that Harrison Bros is absolutely stunning - as is yours SK- I just adore the early Joseph Allen knives as well - and their great stampings, the Stag models in this Thread are simply fantastic Knives - Thank you so much for showing us!
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It's a pleasure Duncan, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of these old war-horses :thumbup:
 
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