Unusual Small Single Bladed Antique Penknife – ‘Lucky’ Pig with Four Leaf Clover

Here on offer is an unusual and delightful, small single bladed antique penknife, with a grip that depicts a ‘lucky’ pig with a four leaf clover in its mouth.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries the pig was a popular lucky charm in France, England and Ireland, as well as Germany and Austria, where it was and still is known as Glücksschwein (‘good luck pig’).

Expressions such as ‘happy as a pig in the mire’, ‘a pig in clover’, and ‘you lucky pig’, reflect the association of pigs with happiness, financial prosperity and good luck.

I believe this penknife would have originally been sold as a lucky charm, possibly dating to the early 1900’s.



The penknife has a single 1” (0.75” cutting edge) steel blade at one end, that hinges out and holds tightly in place.

There is no makers mark on the blade and it is very stiff to open, so I don’t think it has ever been used.

It is in excellent condition and still retaines its original bright finish and very sharp cutting edge, that I managed to cut my finger with!

The grip plates have been made from a metal alloy or possibly aluminium, and cast in the form of a pig with a four leaf clover in its mouth.

At the pig’s rear end, it is fitted with a brass suspension ring.
The blade measures 1” (2.4cm) long with a 0.75” (1.9cm) cutting edge. When closed the penknife measures 1.25” (3.2cm) long, excluding the ring.

It weighs 3g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 51805