Arthur Worral Staniforth pocket fruit knife, 1911

Description

Arthur Worrall Staniforth, (b.1841) was the son of Samuel Staniforth, a Sheffield cutler. Following the family tradition he became a skilled cutler specialising in making silver-bladed pocket fruit knives. He registered maker’s marks with the Sheffield Assay Office in July 1889 and June 1890. Arthur Worral Staniforth continued making pocket fruit knives until 1919. He died in 1921 at the age of 79. This example of a Arthur Worral Staniforth pocket fruit knife has sleeveboard shaped body and measures 2 7/8 inches in the closed position. It is made with brass liners, rounded iridescent mother-of-pearl scales, an inlaid silver cartouche, silver bolsters and a spearpoint silver blade. The blade has four hallmarks from the Sheffield Assay Office: the Sheffield crown, lion passant, date letter “t” for 1911 and the “AS” maker’s mark. This fine early 20th-century pocket fruit knife is in excellent condition.