Over the past year we have looked at a couple of issued jack knives, tonight we turn to the Royal Navy version. This knife is quite distinctive in that it is made entirely of metal with grey grips rather than the black seen on army examples:
As can be seen, at one end is a metal loop to take a lanyard and at the opposite a protruding screwdriver type blade. The knife opens out to reveal a blade and a large marlin spike for repairing ropes with:
The navy’s jack knife is unusual in having a metal plate on it where the owner’s name and number can be marked:
In this case the knife originally belonged to DJ Ritchie, F019317. These knives remained in use until 1983 when they stopped being issued to new recruits; this example is from the post war period as it has a steel shackle rather than one made from copper. These knives are marked at the base of the blade, but sadly I can’t make out the writing on this example.
- Comment
- Reblog
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Tales from the Supply Depot 
i have a navy knife with the copper shackle and a leather case made in sheffield first three words g.ib????? no name and writing on oppsite side of name tag
We have one with the maker’s name Harrison Bros & Howson, probably from the Second World War. A Sheffield maker.
Thanks for this thread. I have one which my parents used for as long as I can remember to clean the blades on the lawn-mower. Cleaned it up today to find it was made by Harrison Fisher & Co Ltd. My father was in the Merchant Navy from 1945, before joining the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in the late 50s, so that’s probably why we had it.
Hi I joined the R N in 1974 at HMS Ganges in Ipswich. Any other former Ganges lad will remember Faith, Hope and Charity, friends to us all, I jest. I still have my knife as issued it is marked on the blade, Harrison Fisher Co LTD, Sheffield. Hope this helps.
That type of knives began to be issued in 1938 and until 41 they took the Copper ring, later passing to a steel one, when copper became indispensable for Radars and telecommunications, those of the 2WW are usually dated with the year although There are exceptions, there being 5 or 6 manufacturers of them although the one that made the most quantity was Rogers, which is the most common. After the war, Rogers and Harrison Fisher Co LTD, Sheffield are the usual suppliers, in part because of the closure of many of Sheffield’s Knife companies. Including Rogers in the 70s ..
In the 80s they were replaced by all-steel ones, which were already regulations in the Brithis Army