This is a bone handle knife made in the 1870's - 1890's by the Joseph Kirby & Sons Cutlery company of Sheffield, England. The knife has an overall length of 11" and a blade length of 6 1/2". The handle is made of faux bone. This piece was picked up in New Mexico on the way to a show out that way a couple years ago. The old boy that owned it said he picked it up from a family that had settled near Santa Fe in the early 1800's. He was told by the family that this piece of cutlery had been traded for from a Native American Apache. How the Apache came by it was not known, but it had been in the family for generations. A single brass pin through the tang attaches the blade to the handle. The simple blade retains a moderately sharp edge. The left side of the blade has the hall mark of Joseph Kirby & Sons. They were merchants and cutlery makers in Sheffield, England. The overall condition of the knife is good, showing wear and a nice, aged patina.

Item # AA2065