Origin: England, 19th century.
Length when opened – 22,5 cm, when closed – 12,8 cm.
Nice folding knife, made by famous company Joseph Rodgers & Sons. The company was founded in 1724 when John Rodgers first rented the star and Maltese cross mark from the Cutlers’ Company. He was renting a house workshop in Holy (Hawley) Croft, which used to be off Campo Lane. John’s three sons John, Joseph and Maurice joined the family business, which began to expand rapidly. In the 1780s the family moved into a block of workshops which would become their most famous address, No. 6 Norfolk Street. In 1800 Joseph and Maurice formally dissolved their partnership and the firm was renamed Joseph Rodgers & Sons. As well as producing an unrivaled range of pen and pocket knives, the company became famous for their exhibition cutlery, which showed off the skill of the cutlers working for them. These wonders could be seen in the company showrooms on Norfolk Street, which when opened in 1825 caused a sensation. There were very few showrooms within Sheffield, where visitors could come to look at and buy goods in plush surroundings.
Blade: single edged folding blade. Maker’s marks near the handle –Maltese cross and the star on the one side and inscriptions JOSEPH RODGERS & SONS and No. 6 / NORFOLK /SHEFFIELD / ENGLAND. Folding mechanism in working condition. Length of the blade 9,9 cm, width 1,7 cm.
Hilt: horn grip plates, riveted with iron rivets, with folding mechanism between them.
Condition report: blade with areas of dark patina and pitting from corrosion, with scratches and dents. Inscriptions are readable. Horn grip plates with original nice patina, some scratches, dents and crack on one side. Folding mechanism in fully working condition.