Barrel Knife

1874 Dated Johan Engström Eskilstuna Sweden Curly Birch Barrel Knife With Concealed Folding Steel Blade.

One of the most successful Swedish Eskilstuna cutlers was Johan Engström (1846 – 1915). The knives used for hunting and fishing have an ingenious mechanism. The folding 4” drop point steel blade with brass scales sits inside the barrel shaped Curly Birch wood handle. The blade is released by depression of a ribbed steel lever at the butt of the handle. The folded blade can then be withdrawn from the handle, opened and then pushed back in and through the hilt until it locks in place. The knife measures 9” overall length when assembled for use. The wood handle is has some knocks consistent with age, single small crack in handle (see photos). The steel ferrule and butt cap with locking catch and lanyard ring lug are undamaged and function as they should. The blade’s brass scales are undamaged. One scale is dated 1874 together with ‘arrow JE’ trademark of Johan Engström. The blade has just staining and light pitting to be expected and has had a fair bit of usage (see photos). The barrel blade support mechanism has a small amount of wood missing (see photos)

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SOLD.