Old pocket/folding knife ID

[Umbrahabitator]

Hello, I found this pocket knife with the inscription "L.B.K. Co." on it, Any help identifying it would be appreciated. The item was dug in Illinois if that helps.

I notice a bunch of tiny vertical lines similar to a U.S. Military button and some intricate scroll lines.

Thank you

 

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[eyemustdigtreasure]

Looks very old!
L.B.K. Co could be searched out, I suppose.
This is a gentleman's knife, and is very Art Neuvo, late 1800's , is my guess....
Great Find!

 

[Underwonder]

That’s the nicest old pocket knife i’ve seen!

 

[Retired Sarge]

Got to wonder if the LBK CO markings are for the company selling the knife versus the maker. In other words the company is getting them for advertising purposes, and it's something every male carried back in the day

 

[gunsil]

I just checked in "Goin's Encyclopedia of Cutlery Markings", and "Levine's Guide to Knives and their Values" and there is no mention of an LBK Co. These books usually have a lot of retailer's names besides manufacturer's names but show nothing for these letters. Appears to be around 1900 by style, could well be a German import, they made thousands, many maker's names lost to time. Were it an American maker it would likely be in those reference books.

I did look up IBK also with no results.

 

[VTColonialDigger]

That is one cool pocket knife, I agree with ffuries, it looks like it is an advertising or promotional item for a company.

 

[Anduril]

I'm not convinced that first letter is an "L".
Might be an "I" (my first choice), "E", "T" or maybe even a "G". ?