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Good Stuff Listing On Vintage H.S.B. & Co. Czechoslovakia Fixed Blade Hunting Knife Bowie Style
This listing is a vintage American H.S.B. & Co. private-label knife, manufactured in Czechoslovakia, not Chicago, most likely in the 1930s and 1940s.
“H.S.B. & Co.” refers to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. of Chicago, a major hardware wholesaler that sold knives and other goods under its own marks. H.S.B. commonly contracted other manufacturers rather than making the products themselves. This makes it considerably more collectible than an ordinary unmarked hunting knife.
This particular imported knife was manufactured in the historic Bohemia cutlery hub, primarily centered around the town of Mikulasovice (now the Czech Republic). Master bladesmiths in this region produced blades for American trade brands like H.S.B. & CO. alongside German firms from Solingen.
A distinctive feature of this knife is the handle is staked with red and black leather segments accented with numerous brass spacers. Also, both ends of the leather and brass stacked segment is a double brass quillon protecting the user from the cutting edge and an aluminum pummel at the butt of the knife. In addition, the blade is marked with "H.S.B. & CO. / CZECHOSLOVAKIA".
Condition:
- Overall the knife is in very good vintage condition
- The blade has some light patina
- There are some subtle surface scratches on the blade (See Photo)
- There are a couple nicks on the top side of the blade (See Photo)
- The blade is sharp (See video)
- The handle is in very good condition
- There are no loose or missing parts
Features:
- Clear H.S.B. & Co. mark
- CZECHOSLOVAKIA country-of-origin marking
- Unusual fixed-blade utility-hunting configuration
- Stack of black & red leather segments with brass spacers
- Bass double quillon (guard)
- Aluminum pommel (but of knife)
- Distinctive broad clipped upswept blade
- The H.S.B. marking gives it collector interest beyond an ordinary unidentified Czech knife.
- The knife weighs 7.9 oz
- The cutting edge is 3.125 inches long
- The overall length is 8 inches
