<code> Mappin Brothers Sheffield fruit knife makers
6 Bakers Hill, Sheffield
Mappin’s date back to 1774, when silver plater and cup maker Jonathan Mappin began trading. His son Joseph Mappin (qv) had two sons: Joseph Junior and John.
The former joined his father’s business in Fargate, Sheffield. Joseph Junior left his father and joined a new flourishing enterprise manufacturing knives and razors.
Joseph Junior’s son Frederick joined the family firm at the age of fourteen and by the early 1840s the company employed around 100.
Frederick and his younger brothers Edward, Joseph and John took over the firm in 1841 and by the 1850s the company was known as Mappin Brothers.
By 1859 the brothers had fallen out which resulted in there being two rival companies, Mappin Brothers and Mappin & Company which became Mappin & Webb (qv).
The two companies were rivals until the turn of the 20th century when Mappin Brothers was acquired by Mappin & Webb.
Registered Maker’s Marks
“MB” Sheffield silver mark registered 14 August 1856, subsequent marks registered 1860, 19 August 1867, 18 March 1878, 5 December 1883, 6 January 1890, 15 June 1893 and 10 May 1894. Chester silver mark registered March 1897.
Mappin Brothers pocket fruit knife with an anthemion terminal.
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