Lancashire Fusiliers Palette Knife, 1894

This is an extremely rare piece of Victorian, regimental silver in the form of a large 14"long knife with flat silver blade. It could be described as a palette knife or as a page turner. The handle has double struck decoration in the Lancashire pattern and it is in fine condition.

This large silver palette knife was made in London 1894 by Carrington & Co and bears the following engraved inscription:

“Officers Mess

1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

This knife was made from the silver handles

 of the cheese knives which had been in use

from 1837 – 1894”.

The design of the decoration was made exclusively for the 20th Regiment of Foot, later Lancashire Fusiliers, and as such we have named it Lancashire Pattern. The pattern has been made with dies that include the regimental badge being struck to the terminals. It is an extremely rare pattern and prior to the batch we currently have in stock, we have never previously encountered a single piece.

The double-struck nature of the pattern (i.e. pattern on both sides) ensures that a good gauge of silver was used in manufacture and each piece therefore has a hefty feel in the hand.

Provenance

The handle of this knife bears the gartered crest and motto of the 20th Regiment of Foot. The motto reads: “Omnia Audax” (Daring in all things). Following the Childers Reforms of 1881, the regiment became known as the Lancashire Fusiliers and was based at the Wellington Barracks in Bury. As the inscription suggests, the service was originally used in the officer’s mess. 

A fabulous piece of regimental silver!