TOPIC:

Hi Thank you for welcoming me to your forum.
I wonder if you can help me get any background history on this pocket knife?.
I've had it for the last 30 years, the local museum could only tell me it was from the Boer War around 1901.
It has silver sides hallmarked with the makers "J.R.Rogers & Sons" Sheffield.
The name "G.H.Mytton 88 Co I.Y. South Africa" is stamped into the side.
The blades are very dappled but still very sharp !
I have been advised not to polish it up....why?
many thanks.

As you know, that is a very nice piece of history and quite rare.

Many of the volunteer units, such as the IY, were given useful gifts such as these on their departure for the war.

I am sure if you look into welsh newspapers online they will have a report about the departure of this contingent and may well record the donation of such items.

Polishing - very subjective, for me patina/age is everything. As it is the all the details on the knife are sharp and it is certainly not dirty!

Regards

Fatjap44
As SWB says, a very rare bit of kit. You might be interested to know that "G.H.Mytton" was in fact, Capt. G.H.Mytton of the 88th Coy, 9th Imperial Yeomanry. There was just one contingent of 131 all ranks for the 88th Coy., I.Y. (Welsh Yeomanry).
Regards
IL.

Thanks for the help,.. although i'm not really a collector, I am interested in building up a picture of the person who it was given to, and why. It is interesting to know that they were volunteers.

I have managed to find some information from the internet on the knife

Knife Maker
J.R.Rogers & Sons
Norfolk St
Sheffield

Cutlers to H.M 1891-1902

Presented to
Captain George Herbert Mytton
03 Nov 1873 - 14 Feb 1943
88th Companies Imperial Yeomanry, a contingent of 131, all ranks.
Sailed on the SS Norman in April 1901to South Africa

George Herbert Mytton, of Garth and Penylan, the son of Devereux Herbert Mytton and Emma Lydia Mytton, nee Story; elder brother of A. R. Mytton sailed for South Africa aboard the S.S. Norman in April 1901, as commander of the 88th (Welsh Yeomanry) Company, 9th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry. In September 1901 the 88th and 89th Companies Imperial Yeomanry, with the Bechuanaland Rifles and 4th Bedfordshire Mounted Infantry and others, were formed into a provisional regiment styled the 1st Divisional Scouting Corps. Captain G. H. Mytton was appointed Adjutant of the Corps and the command of the 88th Company was handed over to Lieutenant A. R. Mytton. Both brothers were presented with their Queen’s South Africa Medals by General Viscount Kitchener at a parade at Powis Castle Park, on 6 September 1902.

As I mentioned earlier, i'm not really a military collector, Im more into watches, and would rather it go to some one who would appreciate it more. A local antique dealer has shown interest in it. Has anyone an idea of the sort of value should i put on it?

To the right person, £200-£300 ?

Peter