Here is the Real Lamb Foot knife I promised to contribute to this thread - this knife was previously posted in the “Silence of the Lambs Foot” thread but the photos are no longer there. By coincidence I had obtained this knife from MerryMadMonk (Al), a member of BF, at auction. Al originally posted this knife in that thread and I only realized it after searching for background of the knife on the internet. Nonetheless I am the new caretaker
To summarize from the background in that thread provided from Al and Jack: - This one is somewhat of a mystery maker from Sheffield as little info exists for E. Watts of Sheffield – the only Watts listed in Tweedale’s book is a John Watts and other sources indicate there was a Bingham & Watts who were Edge Tool Manufacturers of Norton, Woodseats (a suburb of Sheffield) – not sure the latter would be the maker in my opinion but of course possible… the only info found was an Edward Watt in London but only an ad for a patent on a “Burnishing Glove” in Saddlery and Harness (Vol 8, June 1898) at the address of 89 Edgware Rd, London, W. – Edward Watts was noted as a saddle and harness maker so the question is whether he retailed knives as well… Possible he was a merchant in London with his knives still made in Sheffield or on a separate note maybe there was an Edward Watts who was a small Sheffield maker not noted in the references… I can not find any further info at all on an E Watts Sheffield and I have tried multiple sources and searches.
Notably the knife would possibly be pre-1890 based on lack of an England stamp (unless it was not made for export and thus could be post-1890) and the liners and bolsters are not integrated so no doubt post-1860… But as this thread has alluded to the “Real Lamb Foot” knife may not have evolved until the 1880s-1890s. Nonetheless hard to pinpoint the date for this knife but I do believe late 1800s - early 1900s as a guess. Thanks again to all!!
Cheers!
Lee