Thomas Bradbury & Sons of buying London folding silver fruit knife, 1887

This firm can be traced back to the mid 18th century. The company became known as Thomas Bradbury & Son in 1832 and a generation later became Thomas Bradbury & Sons in 1855. The company remained a family business until finally being liquidated in 1945. This substantial example of a Bradbury folding fruit knife is 3 1/2 closed. It is made with brass liners, rounded mother-of-pearl scales, an inlaid silver cartouche, plain silver bolsters and a plain silver back bar sleeve. The spearpoint blade has five hallmarks: the London leopard head, lion passant, Victoria head duty mark, date letter “M” for 1887 and the buying maker's mark “TBJH” first registered in 1878. This large and quite heavy pocket fruit knife is in excellent condition. Stock ref. 21527