Knife by O'Neill & Thompson, Dublin

jack of all

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me more about this knife or the retailer whose name is stamped on the blade: "O'Neill Son & Thompson- Henry Street & Nassau Street". The blade is 12" long, overall length is 17.5", blade is quite thin, flexible and sharp! Nice bone handle with embossed coat of arms, blade tang is pinned, as per photo. I presume this would be considered a bread knife? It's in remarkably good condition, I don't know how old this might be but I imagine it must be 50 years old amyway. I'd like to use it at home. I can't find much on the web about this firm, I presume they would have been retailing knives and cutlery made by others mostly (and Sheffield in the main)? Thanks in advance

coylemj

Given the length of the blade and the smooth edge, it's more likely a carving knife designed to tackle the likes of a large turkey and it probably came as a set with a carving fork and sometimes, a steel to sharpen the blade.

Example:

Tiercel Dave

A quick Google threw this up.....

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/kit-for-19th-century-healthcare-cuts-set-to-go-under-hammer-1.549111

jack of all

Very interesting, not sure I should use the blade for cutting turkey or bread now! Funnily enough I remember as a child visiting an auction room with my parents more than 35 years ago and seeing a medical instruments case for sale with surgeons tools- a saw, I remember and possibly some trepanning equipment!

coylemj

The company claimed to be 'razor and surgical instrument makers and cutlers to Her Majesty and the Lord Lieutenant'

Which means they supplied cutlery to Queen Victoria and the Viceregal Lodge in Dublin.

Which would have included carving sets.