🏆 ANTIQUE HIBBARD, SPENCER, BARTLETT & CO. — 4 1/4” ELEPHANT TOE 🇺🇸
Here’s a grand old American elephant toe with the kind of character that makes these early oversized pocketknives so appealing to collectors. Measuring a substantial 4 1/4” closed, this handsome example features beautifully aged, deeply jigged bone handles, an attractive shield, and that unmistakable heavy-frame sunfish profile.
🏛️ A LITTLE CUTLERY HISTORY
Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. was a prominent Chicago hardware wholesaler whose pocketknives were supplied by respected American cutlery manufacturers, including New York Knife Co., Camillus, Ulster, and Schrade.
Many carried the HSB name rather than the actual manufacturer’s stamp, leaving today’s collectors with some interesting history to explore. The precise maker of this particular elephant toe remains unconfirmed — part of the intrigue for enthusiasts who enjoy studying old patterns, construction, and cutlery history.
🔸 THE KNIFE & ITS CONDITION
• 4 1/4” closed — substantial antique two-blade elephant toe / sunfish
• Beautifully aged, deeply jigged bone with elongated cuts and rich amber-brown coloration
• Attractive shield and nicely aged bolsters
• Broad primary blade featuring a classic long pull
• Strong snap on the primary — tight in the open position with no wobble
• Secondary blade has good snap with slight blade play in the open position
• Both handles remain secure and crack-free, with a small flea-bite-type nick near one bolster
• Both blades retain Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. tang stamping
• Blades retain attractive profiles while showing honest sharpening, scratches, handling marks, and natural patina
⭐ COLLECTOR’S CORNER
The real standout on this old HSB is the bone. Those deep, elongated jigging cuts and rich, naturally aged colors give this knife tremendous eye appeal. Add the broad long-pull primary, substantial frame, and solid old-fashioned blade action, and you’ve got a fine example of why these antique American elephant toes remain so desirable.
Not a polished-up showpiece pretending to be new — just a handsome old survivor with plenty of character and history.
🔍 Please carefully examine all photographs, as they are an important part of the description and best illustrate this antique knife’s condition.
Thank you for viewing another Top Shelf selection from my personal collection of vintage and collectible pocketknives.
🔪 Enjoy old knives? Browse my other listings and follow prairiedogky for more carefully selected pieces from cutlery past.
Thanks for your interest!
Kind regards,
Perry
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