Walker & Hall pocket fruit knife, 1895

Description

George Walker began in the cutlery trade around 1845 and became Walker & Hall in 1848 when Henry Hall joined the partnership.

The leading light of the firm during the later years of the 19th century was John Bingham who was twice elected as Sheffield’s Master Cutler.

This large pocket fruit knife from Walker & Hall has a teardrop shaped body and measures 3 1/4 inches in the closed position. It is made with brass liners rounded iridescent mother-of-pearl scales, an engraved inlaid cartouche, ribbed and pinched silver bolsters, a finely tooled silver back bar sleeve and a solid silver blade.

The blade has four hallmarks, the Sheffield crown, lion passant, date letter “c” for 1895 and the maker’s mark “W&H” inside a flag motif.

This substantial pocket fruit knife is in excellent condition — the blade even retains a snap.