British WW1 Pattern 8173/1914 Clasp Knife with Jigged Horn Grip by J. Clarke & Son Sheffield

Here on offer is a great example of a British WW1 Pattern 8173/1914 clasp knife by J. Clarke & Son, of Sheffield, England.

This style of clasp knife has one main 3” single edged main blade and a spear pointed, double edged 1.75” long tin/can opener.

The main blade now shows signs of use ad sharpening and has some dark staining to the finish.

It is stamped on the ricasso with the maker’s details:

J. CLARKE
& SON

The tin/can opener is unmarked and is in excellent condition, with just some dark staining to the finish. It retains the cylindrical opening pin.

The blade opens with a solid action and locks in place securely with no wobble.

I don’t think the can opener has been used much, if at all, as it is incredibly stiff to open. I had to use a small pair of flat pliers and please be careful when closing it as it shuts like a trap!

It has steel liners and bolster and at the other end is a large copper swivel lanyard loop/shackle.

It has what look to be jigged horn grip scales. One scale is in perfect condition and the other side has a tiny crack in the horn from the retaining pin to the bolster.

This type of WW1 clasp knife is now hard to find especially in such good condition. It will make a great addition to any knife collection.

The blade cutting edge measures 3” (7.6cm) long and the can opener is 1.75” (4.5cm) long. The knife when closed is 4.2” (10.5cm) long, excluding the lanyard ring.

It weighs 135g.


Some history about John Clarke & Son.

“Fine Cutlery Merchants' was how John Clarke liked himself to be known before the Great War.
The firm was founded in 1848 by John Clarke and was based in Harvest Lane in Neepsend. The business expanded under the founder's son, Thomas, who took control in about 1873.

The company acquired the business and trademarks of William Rodgers, which had been founded in 1830, Wm. Rodgers' name and its catchy mark, 'I Cut My Way', was used prominently by Clarke's thereafter.

The firm's own marks were 'Neva', granted in 1856; and EXPRESS. The 'Ring' mark was also used on Clarke's razors, which were an important line for the firm in the nineteenth century. Hollow-ground razors were a specialty and the firm also marketed one of the first safety razors-the Gem. Its showrooms also had a good selection of knives, including knives 5/16" long (perfect miniatures), to the most expensive sportsmen's knives, gold and silver mounted, containing every article a sportsman can require.

Table-knives and carvers were another Line. In the 1890s, it had agents in London, New York and Melbourne. By 1914, the firm had moved to nearby Mowbray Street, where its new factory was built on the banks of the River Don. It was to Remain there well into the twentieth century as one of the last producers of hand-made pocket-knives: it also made large numbers of Bowie knives. Clarke's ceased making knives in about 1983.

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: 52361