April 11-13, 2023 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2023
Jess Horn is regarded as a knifemaking legend, well-known for his investment quality folding knives with natural material handles, normally favoring stag or ivory for his knives. He was a long-standing voting member of the Knife Makers Guild and made knives from 1968-2016. Firmo Fracassi is known as Italy's best Bulino engraver, helped to pioneer the technique in the 1970s, and was successful in using it at Abbiatico and Salvinelli. Offered here is a set of 4 Jess Horn folding knives with buffalo horn handles engraved by Firmo Fracassi on both sides of grip ferrule. (A) 3 - 1/2" blade and 8" overall with buffalo horn handle featuring gold plated grip pins, and gold inlaid nameplate (nameplate is blank). Engraved with a portrait of an elephant on either side of ferrule in Bulino style engraving. Complete with leather rawhide lined pouch. (B) 3" blade and 7" in overall length with buffalo horn handle featuring gold plated grip pins, and gold inlaid nameplate (nameplate is blank). Engraved with a portrait of a rhinoceros on either side of ferrule in Bulino style engraving. Complete with leather rawhide lined pouch. (C) 2 - 5/8" blade and 6 - 5/8" in overall length with buffalo horn handle featuring gold plated grip pins, and gold inlaid nameplate (nameplate is blank). Engraved with a portrait of a lion on either side of grip ferrule in Bulino style engraving. Complete with leather rawhide lined pouch. (D) 2 - 3/8" blade and 5 - 7/8" in overall length with buffalo horn handle featuring gold plated grip pins, and gold inlaid nameplate (nameplate is blank. Engraved with a portrait of a leopard on either side of ferrule in Bulino style engraving. Complete with leather rawhide lined pouch. All knives are marked Jess Horn on ricasso and are marked Fracassi on ferrule near blade. CONDTION: Excellent+, and near mint, with only minor scratches from handling. Grips are complete with no major signs of distress. All knives are mechanically fine as they lock tightly when extended. Pouches are excellent+ with no major signs of distress and stitching tight. A remarkable set of art knives for the discerning collector or art knife enthusiast by 2 masters of their respective crafts.
Blade Length
(A) 3 - 1/2" (B) 3" (C) 2 - 5/8" (D) 2 - 3/8"
Overall Length
(A) 8" (B) 7" (C) 6 - 5/8" (D) 5 - 7/8"