English Pocket Fruit Knife Maker (Sheffield)
Pond Lane Sheffield, later at High Street, Eyre Street and Duke Lane
According to apprenticeship records of the Cutlers’ Company, Samuel Kirkby gained his Freedom in 1783 after being apprenticed to Thomas Nowill (qv).
In 1811 Samuel was listed as a fruit knife maker. A year later he fell from a carriage and died of his injuries. His son, also Samuel, continued as a fruit knife maker from the Pond Street premises and was listed as in partnership with William Kirkby in 1821. Despite the risks, Samuel Kirkby pocket fruit knives are sometimes found with fake hallmarks.
Registered Maker’s Marks
First Sheffield silver mark registered 5 February 1784, subsequent mark registered (with William Kirkby) 15 October 1821.
A Samuel Kirkby pocket fruit knife with chamfered mother-of-pearl scales and piqué-clouté wire work.
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