Thumper
04-09-2017, 06:30 PM
I purchased a vintage (I believe 30's - 50's) oyster knife recently and plan on listing it on eBay sometime tomorrow (Monday). I was a bit confused when I first purchased it, as the blade is thinner than most I have seen. I was actually starting to think it was a letter opener, but the short blade seemed odd. After getting it home for a closer inspection, I found the word "BRIDDELL" stamped into the brass ferrule on one side of the blade, and "Made in USA" on the other. Ok, that sent me on the research trail and I learned that there are different shucking techniques which require different blade/handle designs. This particular knife is for users of the "Chesapeake Technique". As far as figuring an accurate date of mfg, I finally gave up, but the Carvel name came in around '50-'51 I think. As for Briddell, I found this on the net:
Charles D. Briddell, Born in Somerset Co. Maryland Aug 22, 1883 and died in 1938. In the 1900 census at age 16 he listed occupation as Blacksmith. In 1910 he said Mfg. of Oyster Knives.
Bridell eventually became "Carvel Hall Cutlery Company" and I found a similar knife that recently sold on The Bay for $23.00, but it appeared to be in a little rougher condition than mine.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/C-D-BRIDDELL-CARVEL-HALL-WOODEN-HANDLE-OYSTER-SHUCKING-KNIFE-CRISFIELD-MD-/381947360876?hash=item58edd6366c:g:c4EAAOSw9GhYl08 8
Anyway, I'm looking for a $20 bill for this priceless & historical antique ( :D ) and I'll pay the shipping if anyone here wants it. This one has a carbon steel blade with a brass ferrule and oak handle.
8760 8761 8764
8762 8763
Charles D. Briddell, Born in Somerset Co. Maryland Aug 22, 1883 and died in 1938. In the 1900 census at age 16 he listed occupation as Blacksmith. In 1910 he said Mfg. of Oyster Knives.
Bridell eventually became "Carvel Hall Cutlery Company" and I found a similar knife that recently sold on The Bay for $23.00, but it appeared to be in a little rougher condition than mine.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/C-D-BRIDDELL-CARVEL-HALL-WOODEN-HANDLE-OYSTER-SHUCKING-KNIFE-CRISFIELD-MD-/381947360876?hash=item58edd6366c:g:c4EAAOSw9GhYl08 8
Anyway, I'm looking for a $20 bill for this priceless & historical antique ( :D ) and I'll pay the shipping if anyone here wants it. This one has a carbon steel blade with a brass ferrule and oak handle.
8760 8761 8764
8762 8763