Operating out of San Francisco, Will & Finck manufactured a wide variety of knives and gambling equipment, and are associated with the California Gold Rush. The push dagger, also known as the gimlet knife, is also associated with the sporting types of the American frontier, being a compact weapon that could be deployed in a close-in fight with speed and power. Measuring 5 7/8 inches in overall length and 2 3/4 in overall width, the blade is double edged and spear pointed with a diamond cross section and 3 3/8 inch long live edges leading down to a lozenge profile ricasso marked "WILL&FINCK/SF.CAL" on one side. The maker's mark has been crudely double stamped. There is a "6" or "9" marked on both the shank of the knife blade and near the throat of the scabbard. The handle is smooth one-piece antique ivory construction, sized for a full-hand grip with the shank of the blade emerging from between the middle and ring fingers. A matching sized German silver scabbard is included, which was once fitted with a retention/belt hook.
Very good, the blade is mostly bright with some scattered light spotting and darker grey patina near the grip. The grip is fine with some light handling marks and an attractively aged tone. The scabbard is good with absent belt hook and some scattered light pitting and handling marks.
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