with curved double-edged blade of flattened hollow-diamond section signed on one face in block capital letters on a large frosted panel and the edges retaining much original polish, copper alloy hilt fitted with moulded German silver ferrule, a pair of shaped ivory grip-scales retained by five rivets, in its German silver-mounted leather-covered wooden scabbard with shaped chape and moulded locket, 19.0 cm blade

Provenance

David Hayden-Wright (1936-2006)

Literature

David Hayden-Wright, The Heritage of English Knives, Atglen, Pennsylvania, 2008, p. 101

In the nineteenth century, Rodgers had an unsurpassed reputation and history that was synonymous with the cutlery trade. The family's first cutler, John Rodgers (1701-85), is recorded around 1724, with a workshop near the present cathedral. In the same year, the Company of Cutlers 'let' him a mark, a Star and Maltese Cross, which became world famous in later years. Rodgers began the production of exhibition and presentation pieces in the early 19th century. The McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 halved their American business and consequently they sought to grow their business in other parts of the world, the present dagger was no doubt made for this market in North Africa or the Middle East.

This lot is offered with UK Ivory Act certificate number 18VYTQFB.