✅ SOLVED Fur trade knife identification help...

[mk4125]

I found this knife at a well-established site on the northern shores of Lake Michigan. Everything at the site dates from 1780 - 1830. The maker's mark says 'W.DUNN' with symbol of a hammer. Any help in identification would be greatly appreciated!
***. Added additional knives from the same spot. One appears to have a crown.

 

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[Kray Gelder]

I like it, but can't help you.

 

[DizzyDigger]

It certainly appears to be hand-forged, but after about
20 min. of searching I can find nothing about a W. Dunn
either involved with the trade or as a bladesmith.

 

[mk4125]

It almost seems like there is no one place / person / website that collects this info.

 

[releventchair]

Your piece with a crown hints of English.
As does Dunn. There is a current Dunn making knives so that jams up looking....
There are mentions of your knife maker a couple places.

https://books.google.com/books?id=o5IIAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA207&lpg=PA207&dq=Old+knife+stamped+W.+Dunn&source=bl&ots=bz2RBPfbOq&sig=_JguKOXNHq_HkSTSVh-Ayh73cmI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwip8OTj2PXXAhXK5yYKHWuOApsQ6AEISzAK#v=onepage&q=Old%20knife%20stamped%20W.%20Dunn&f=false

 

[Old Pueblo]

Your piece with a crown hints of English.
As does Dunn. There is a current Dunn making knives so that jams up looking....
There are mentions of your knife maker a couple places.

https://books.google.com/books?id=o5IIAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA207&lpg=PA207&dq=Old+knife+stamped+W.+Dunn&source=bl&ots=bz2RBPfbOq&sig=_JguKOXNHq_HkSTSVh-Ayh73cmI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwip8OTj2PXXAhXK5yYKHWuOApsQ6AEISzAK#v=onepage&q=Old%20knife%20stamped%20W.%20Dunn&f=false

Great work there. It has to be the same "W. Dunn", in my opinion.

 

[mk4125]

Agree!! I will do a bit of additional research and then mark this one solved.

 

[A2coins]

gettin better sweet find

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[mk4125]

The guy was 'William Dunn' from Sheffield England. He was a trained Cutler in the late 1700's with son, Thomas Dunn, taking over. http://www.cutlers-hallamshire.org.uk/portrait-of-thomas-dunn