J. Russell Green River Works Knife, circa late 1800s

russellknifewcross001

 

$212.50$191.25

Fine Original Knives, Daggers, Dirks, Bowies, and Folders from The History Store (Knife, Dagger, Dirk, Bowie, and Folder)
Fine Original Knives, Daggers, Dirks, Bowies, and Folders from The History Store (Knife, Dagger, Dirk, Bowie, and Folder)
Fine Original Knives, Daggers, Dirks, Bowies, and Folders from The History Store (Knife, Dagger, Dirk, Bowie, and Folder)
Fine Original Knives, Daggers, Dirks, Bowies, and Folders from The History Store (Knife, Dagger, Dirk, Bowie, and Folder)
Fine Original Knives, Daggers, Dirks, Bowies, and Folders from The History Store (Knife, Dagger, Dirk, Bowie, and Folder)
Fine Original Knives, Daggers, Dirks, Bowies, and Folders from The History Store (Knife, Dagger, Dirk, Bowie, and Folder)

Original J. Russell & Co., Green River Works knife with a cross on each side of the grip' crosses applied with tacks or brads. Appears to be either bone or ivory one-piece grip. It is difficult to date these but the logo (see images) appears in their 1884 catalog, so my guess is mid-1880s-1890s. This appears to be an original flatware knife converted into a self-defense knife; the guard may not be original to the knife design and appears to have been added as a cross-guard for finger protection. Similar styles appear in the 1884 catalog but not with the guard. Interesting knife.
Overall length is ~14-1/2"; blade length is ~9"; ~6-3/4" false-edge. Semi-flexible blade with odd little notch at the choil, perhaps for suspending or extruding something such as leather or sinew? Blade is marked in a diamond cartouche, "J. Russell & Co. / 1834 / Green River Works" (see images). It is believed this logo appeared in 1884 to commemorate fifty years in business - 1834 to 1884.
Good condition. Some scattered light pitting; some age cracking in grip (see images).

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