Large pocket fruit knife by William Needham with interesting inscription

Description

William Needham was a prolific silver pocket fruit knife maker with a workshop at 13 Jessop Street, Sheffield. This large example of his craftsmanship has a teardrop shaped body and is 3 5/8 inches closed. The knife is made with brass liners, rounded mother-of-pearl scales, an inlaid shield cartouche engraved with “G. S. Abbott”, nickel silver bolsters and a solid silver blade. The blade is engraved with “1897 Xmas 1922” and has four crisp hallmarks: Sheffield crown, lion passant, date letter “e” for 1922 and the maker’s mark “WN”. The knife is in excellent condition and the blade retains a snap — most unusual for a silver blade!