Newly discovered pocket fruit knife maker! Frederick Bauer of Birmingham, 1901

Description

Frederick Bauer was born in Hanover and emigrated to England in the mid 19th century.

He set up a family silversmith business at 51-53 Albion Street, Birmingham in the heart of the city’s jewellery quarter.

He died in 1885, but his sons Emil and Frederick continued the family business.

Assay records show that the firm made badges and fob medals, but there has never been a record of a pocket fruit knife made by the firm — until now.

This charming pocket fruit knife measures 2 1/2 inches closed. It is made with brass liners geometrically carved mother-of-pearl scales and silvered bolsters. The solid silver blade is hallmarked on the reverse side with four Birmingham hallmarks: the Birmingham anchor, lion passant, date letter “b” for 1901 and the maker’s mark “E & F B”.

The knife comes with its original kid skin purse which is in excellent condition.

This extremely rare find of a pocket fruit knife by a previously unrecorded maker is in excellent condition.