A cutter ... to cut what ?

fernando · 12th September 2022, 10:51 AM

Thank you so much, DrD and Rick, for cracking this riddle.
Also tank you for the SAMSON name correction; i was thinking of my cell phone

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Now that i know what it is, i went looking in the Web and the small knife in the device tail often appears. This one is a different apparatus in format, apparently not so easy to find. I will consider the angular slots on the upper part as having a purpose, like suggested.
By the fine looking of this thing, gold plated and carefully decorated, i would place it in the 19th. century. Would you Gentlemen agree ?

Rick · 12th September 2022, 07:42 PM

Agree Fernando, possibly early 19thC.
Steel nibs were first commercially manufactured in 1822.

From the Itinerant Scribe site:
You find history’s first hint of metal nibs in a 1792 ad, The Times offering ‘New invented’ metal pens. Then in 1822, John Mitchell of Birmingham, England, began making large quantity steel pen nibs. They were easily produced, affordable, had uniform tip sizes, outlasted quills, and didn’t need recutting. They soon became the favored, replacing the long-serving feather quill.

fernando · 13th September 2022, 09:31 AM

Excelent notes, Rick. Thank you my friend

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12th September 2022, 10:51 AM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you so much, DrD and Rick, for cracking this riddle. Also tank you for the SAMSON name correction; i was thinking of my cell phone . Now that i know what it is, i went looking in the Web and the small knife in the device tail often appears. This one is a different apparatus in format, apparently not so easy to find. I will consider the angular slots on the upper part as having a purpose, like suggested. By the fine looking of this thing, gold plated and carefully decorated, i would place it in the 19th. century. Would you Gentlemen agree ?

12th September 2022, 07:42 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Agree Fernando, possibly early 19thC. Steel nibs were first commercially manufactured in 1822. From the Itinerant Scribe site: You find history’s first hint of metal nibs in a 1792 ad, The Times offering ‘New invented’ metal pens. Then in 1822, John Mitchell of Birmingham, England, began making large quantity steel pen nibs. They were easily produced, affordable, had uniform tip sizes, outlasted quills, and didn’t need recutting. They soon became the favored, replacing the long-serving feather quill.

13th September 2022, 09:31 AM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Excelent notes, Rick. Thank you my friend .