Posted 9 years ago
Sting
(27 items)
I recently picked this up in a flea market in Palermo. The gentleman said it was a "police knife". I have worked to clean it up but now believe I will have to remove / replace the pins. It has a sheepsfoot blade, a can opener, and the piviot end has a screwdriver. The crest in one side includes canons. What am I tearing into?l
I added the best picture I could take of the crest. I don't recognize it.
Your brass and wood 4 piece ruler is also interesting, who made it?
Stanley. I have a larger one stamped "E. CHAPIU." "U.S. STANDARD...something"
Though olive wreathes appear on a lot of civilian police logos, the emblem has many elements commonly found on military issue weapon/field tool items.
The combination of cannon, axes (maybe pole-axes?), banners, and what look like flintlock bayonets (length and barrel mount offset) say national military issue to me.
Thank you Just a Random Guy,
That makes more sense then a police agency. I think I am in the market for new pins. I don't think it is collectable enough to worry about it losing value by thoroughly cleaning it up.
Sting
I don't think I'd do more than clean the grime and lube it. That's a very nice service knife that'll be good for regular pocket carry. Well, I suppose if you don't wear nice slacks or a suit to work, it'd be good. ;-)
Take care.
My son spent the better part of a year in Palermo and he thinks it could be Carabinieri. He believes they police force with military leanings.
I have decided not to take out the pins and continue to work on the rust. I have used everything from 120 to 1500 grit combined with metal polish and gun cleaning products. The blades are looking very good. I do not intend to polish them to a mirror finish. My goal is to stop the corrosion. The real challenge is the area inside the knife. Do you think anyone would find additional photographs of interest?
I thought that, too, but wasn't able to find any Carabinieri insignia with cannons and axes. They've a few old ones with swords/sabres and mounted bayonets, but no cannons.
I see I have another sleepless night coming up. I hate mysteries.
I just included the "after" picture of the knife in question. I put a lot of elbo grease in this minimalist approach to cleaning up this knife.
Without a more concrete answer I am going to leave this mystery as unsolved.
Thanks
I am going to post "Horticulture Knife".
I have subsequently found the same symbol on several Italian military items. The symbol, or coat of arms, is found on items like a dress uniform buckle. It is miltitary but as my bright young points out, those lines are blurred. Solved.