GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
ESA - EXTREMELY RARE INSCRIBED SCAGEL UTILITY KNIFE WITH ULTRA-RARE IVORY SCALES AND ORIGINAL SHEATH.Extraordinary Scagel knife with 7-9/16" flat ground clip point blade marked on the right side in period script, undoubtedly by Mr. Scagel himself, "Otto L. Hankinson, / Toledo, Ohio", who is the consignor's grandfather. note the script arrow under Hankinson's name is identical to that on Scagle's personal knife. Jim Lucie published a couple of Scagle letters dated 1937 and 1939 in a July-August issue of Blade Magazine where Mr. Scagel tells of making this "fine silver mounted ivory handled knife that was sent to Toledo, Ohio". Right side of blade near the ricasso is marked with Mr. Scagel's trademark Kris stamp and the partial mark "W. Scagel / Maker". Hand guard is 3/8" thick base with fluted top edge and oval shape set at an angle to the blade & handle, which is also a rare feature of Scagel knives. The handle has two smooth slabs of ivory attached to the tapered tang with 7 nickel/silver pins. Pommel is Mameluke shape. Accompanied by its orig brown leather sheath with thumb-strap and integral belt loop. This exact knife is pictured in full color on page 154 of the book Scagel Handmade, Lucie with credit to the Douglass H. Sandrock collection. Mr. Scagel apparently made very few knives with ivory handles and finding one in such pristine condition with original sheath is a true rarity. William Scagel was the great grand daddy of American custom knife makers in the modern era. He was born February 1875 in Ontario, Canada and in 1900 immigrated to the United States. In 1917 he opened his shop in Muskegon, MI where he worked in metal & cutlery and in the 1936-1937 period began his knife-making career and died in 1963. Mr. Scagel's knives have been the inspiration for numerous custom knife-makers ever since. He produced knives from the tiniest bird & fish knife to the giant camp knives, along with axes & folding knives. He also produced numerous other articles such as copper-ware skillets, pots & pans. He even made corkscrews. His knives rarely come to market. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Douglass H. Sandrock collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Blade is full length showing sharpening stone marks on about the bottom 1/3 at the cutting edge, retaining orig polish over the rest of the blade with slight surface etching on the backgrind on one side. Right handle scale shows numerous age lines, otherwise the ivory has a wonderful, mellow golden patina. Sheath shows moderate wear with moderate soil, heavier on the back. Strap is intact. 52579-1 JRL (20,000-30,000) ESA -