✅ SOLVED military pocket knife?

[dagaro17]

Hi everyone,

I posted yesterday in the today's finds section about this pocket knife I dug at a site that dates from the 1850s - 1920s. I was hoping someone here might be able to provide some information about the knife. After lots of searching the internet I can't find anything similar. The handle is brass and the single blade is rusted iron. There are 43 star on each side. I'd appreciate any help.

Dan

 

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[gunsil]

Knife was made in England mid 1800s. The U star S was a trademark of Edward Barnes company in Sheffield. They also made fine "bowie" knives. I don't think the stars around the border have any meaning, they are just decoration. Pretty cool little knife, so sad they don't survive in the ground well. Knife has no military association.

 

[dagaro17]

Thanks so much gunsil! I would never have figured that out. Such a wealth of knowledge on this forum!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Nice find Dan, even sweeter now that gunsil was able to I.D. it for you!
Given it's age and the fact that you're in Northern California, it may be a relic from the '49 California Gold Rush.

I visited the California Historical Society Museum in San Francisco last August and they had some beautiful displays on the gold rush.

Dave

 

[dagaro17]

Thanks Dave. Man, I would love to go check out that museum someday.
The area I'm hunting in has never been detected before and the stuff I'm finding is from the 1850's-1920's. The area was ground sluiced for gold. I feel lucky to have gained permission to the site that I found on an old map. Soon I'm going to post the other things that I have found. Nothing valuable or rare, just interesting (at least to me).

Dan