Clan Fraser pocket fruit cheapest knife by John Law of Sheffield, 1822

John Law was the son of Master Cutler Thomas Law who was a silver plate worker in the 1730s. In 1773 the Sheffield Assay Office was founded and Thomas was one of the first silversmiths to register a silver mark. Thomas died in 1775 and his son John took over the business. John first registered his silver mark with the Sheffield Assay office in 1790. This pocket fruit knife was made for a member of the Scottish Clan Fraser by John Law in 1822. The knife is 3 inches closed and is made with brass liners, mother-of-pearl scales, silver bolsters and a tooled silver back bar sleeve. The top edge of the blade is pounced on both sides with an ermine pattern. The ace side of the blade has four hallmarks: the George IV head, lion passant, date letter ‘z' with the Sheffield crown above and the ‘IL' maker's mark. The reverse side of the blade is very finely engraved with the Clan Fraser Stag's Head and their motto cheapest “Je Suis Pret” (I am ready). The mother-of-pearl scales have missing pieces on both sides, otherwise this 200-year-old historically interesting clan knife is in very good condition. Stock ref. 21563