Shadow pocket fruit knife by Atkin Brothers, 1887

Description

After being in a partnership for 12 years with renowned cutler John Oxley who specialised in folding fruit knives, Henry Atkin started his own business in 1841. Henry died in 1853 after which his sons formed Atkin Brothers but continued to use their father’s silver mark. This shadow fruit knife (no bolsters) is 3 inches closed and has an equal end shape. The mother-of-pearl scales have fluted edges and the face scale has an inlaid silver cartouche. There is a tooled silver back bar sleeve and the solid silver spearpoint blade has four hallmarks: the Sheffield crown, lion passant, the date letter ‘U’ for 1887 and the maker’s mark “HA”. The knife is in excellent condition.