Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

1900's Rare Tortoiseshell 'Swiss Army' Pen Knife

About the Item

A rare early tortoiseshell 'Swiss Army' Pen Knife, c. 1900, containing a multitude of blades and other useful implements, 9 cm long. The Swiss Army knife (German: Schweizer Offiziersmesser) is a pocket knife or multi-tool manufactured by Victorinox AG (and up to 2005 Wenger SA). The term 'Swiss Army knife' was coined by US soldiers after World War II due to the difficulty they had in pronouncing the German name. The Swiss Army knife generally has a sharp blade, as well as various tools, such as screwdrivers, a can opener, and many others. These attachments are stowed inside the handle of the knife through a pivot point mechanism. The handle is usually red, but our rare, early example has a tortoiseshell case. Originating in Ibach, Switzerland, the Swiss Army knife was first produced in 1891 after the company, Karl Elsener, which later became Victorinox and won the contract to produce the Swiss Army's Model 1890 knife from the previous German manufacturer. In 1893, the Swiss cutlery company Paul Boéchat & Cie, which later became Wenger, received its first contract from the Swiss military to produce model 1890 knives. The two companies split the contract for provision of the knives from 1908 until Victorinox acquired Wenger in 2005. The pictures are part of the description Warning: Since this items are made of a protected species, CITES document need to be applied for shipping, this document process may take few weeks to be approved before the items is shipped to you.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1.19 in (3 cm)Width: 3.55 in (9 cm)Depth: 0.79 in (2 cm)
  • Style:
    Edwardian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1900
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading.
  • Seller Location:
    Hong Kong, HK
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: #10196 CITES1stDibs: LU5609238021732
More From This SellerView All
  • 1900's Tortoiseshell Cigar Box
    Located in Hong Kong, HK
    Tortoiseshell cigar holder, with Japanese inspired decoration. Painted and inlaid with some losses. On one side it represent a bird on a branch in the middle of nature and on the oth...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century British Anglo-Japanese Cigar Boxes and Humidors

    Materials

    Brass

  • 1900's Tortoiseshell Box in the shape of a Book
    Located in Hong Kong, HK
    Tortoiseshell box in the shape of a small book, with silver hinges and locks. A small silver round inlaid piece is attached to the bound edge of the book, not yet engraved. The pict...
    Category

    Antique Late 19th Century British Decorative Boxes

    Materials

    Silver Plate

  • 1900's Tortoiseshell and Silver Pique Work Letter Box
    Located in Hong Kong, HK
    An early 20th century tortoiseshell and silver piqué work Letter Box. The sloping front is inset with a delicately engraved design comprising of flowerheads and scrolling foliage. Th...
    Category

    Early 20th Century British Decorative Boxes

    Materials

    Silver

  • 1905 Tortoiseshell Card Box
    Located in Hong Kong, HK
    Small 1905 Tortoiseshell card box, with gilded gold lining and floral decoration. The dates 1860 / 1910 are engraved on the top. Inside the box, two compartment to fit two small card...
    Category

    Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Decorative Boxes

    Materials

    Gold Plate

  • 1850's Tortoiseshell Box
    Located in Hong Kong, HK
    Small Silver and Tortoiseshell jewellery box, with the top of the lid and the bottom of the box being tortoiseshell. The edges of the box is ...
    Category

    Antique Mid-19th Century British Decorative Boxes

    Materials

    Gold Plate

  • 1903 Tortoiseshell Jewellery Box with Silver Edges
    By Grey & Co., Chester
    Located in Hong Kong, HK
    Beautiful Tortoiseshell jewellery boxes with silver Edges and curved silver cable legs The Tortoiseshell is of light colour which enable the ...
    Category

    Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Jewelry Boxes

    Materials

    Silver

You May Also Like
  • Reid & Sons Antique Sterling Silver Knife / Pen Rests
    By Reid and Sons
    Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
    An exceptional, fine and impressive, large pair of antique George V English sterling silver knife / pen rests; an addition to our dining silverware collection...
    Category

    Vintage 1910s English Tableware

    Materials

    Silver, Sterling Silver

  • Breadboard, Antique English Rare Oval Shape, and Carved Knife
    Located in Port Chester, NY
    This oval shaped bread board is unique. Very charming. The knife that accompanies the cutting board is carved to simulate a sheaf of wheat. With a good sharpening, this is a very usable knife...
    Category

    Antique 19th Century English Tableware

    Materials

    Metal

  • Set of 6 Silver Plate Knife Rests Style Louis XVI, circa 1900
    Located in Austin, TX
    Elegant set of 6 silver plate knife rests style Louis XVI, circa 1900. Laurel leaves.
    Category

    Antique Early 1900s European Louis XIV Sheffield and Silverplate

    Materials

    Metal

  • Wenger SA Swiss Army 16999 Giant Knife, 2007
    By Victorinox
    Located in Mexico City, MX
    A Wenger SA Giant Swiss Army 16999 giant knife 2007 manufactured in Délemont, Switzerland. This Guinness world record Swiss knife contains 87 tools that ca...
    Category

    Early 2000s Swiss Post-Modern Barware

    Materials

    Stainless Steel

  • Silver Serving Fish Knife and Fork with rare engine turned handle
    Located in Perth, GB
    Silver Serving Fish Knife and Fork with rare engine turned handle Fish with beautiful Fish n blade surrounded with filigree foliate scrolls and flowerheads the handle engine turned...
    Category

    Antique 1860s European Victorian Tableware

    Materials

    Silver

  • Gunvor Olin Gronqvist for Arabia, Two Rare Knife Rests in Glazed Ceramics
    Located in Copenhagen, DK
    Gunvor Olin Gronqvist for Arabia. Two rare knife rests in glazed ceramics, 1960s-1970s. Measures: 8 x 3 cm. In very good condition. Signed.
    Category

    Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Tableware

    Materials

    Ceramic

Recently Viewed

View All