We believe that the knife we have was made in Sheffield (maker unknown) for John Walsh Ltd, a local department store.

The business was founded in 1875, selling ladies clothes and baby linen on High Street, Sheffield. It had expanded to become a department store with 36 departments by the time the original John Walsh retired in 1902. The store was destroyed in the Sheffield Blitz in December 1940. It continued to trade from other premises until a purpose-built store was re-opened on the High Street in 1953. By this time, the company was owned by Harrods. It was acquired by House of Fraser in 1959; renamed Rackhams in 1972 and finally rebranded as House of Fraser in 1987. The store eventually closed in 1998.

If you have any information about the knife or the maker, please share it with us via enquiries@hawleytoolcollection.com