MOULINS (Orléans judicial district), 1774–1780 - Lot 187

MOULINS (Orléans judicial district), 1774–1780 "Compass-head" folding travel knife, known as the "à la berge" (named after its inventor), Features two blades: One silver blade (for fruit), the second likely made of steel. Handle composed of light-colored horn plates adorned with alternating rows of rivets decorated with yellow gold florets. The pommels are shaped like shells. Hallmarks for the Orléans jurisdiction, 1774–1780. Guild hallmark: (crowned “R”) for MOULINS, 1775. Master silversmith’s hallmark: ("EB" and a star) for Etienne BOIRON, master cutler in Moulins (Allier), cutler to the King and the Dauphin, who became a master goldsmith in 1770. L. (folded): 11.8 cm. Length when unfolded: 22 cm. Weight: 35.4 grams. In its original shagreen case (hinge mechanism needs repair). Dimensions with case: 12.3 x 2.5 x 1 cm.