Thread: Flea market Mappin & Webb

Got this today. Mappin & Webb Trustworthy. C. 1865. Seller said £35. I gave £10. Scales are toast, but I’m a sucker for this blade shape. Now I think the broken scales may be ivory, making the break a real shame. Anyone got similar and can advise?

That is lovely,great find! looks like a repair would be fairly uncomplicated as the pivot doesn't look cracked. Should clean up nicely.

Nice. There are a few threads about repairing ivory here. Would be worth trying to save them.

From this side the scales still look good

Originally Posted by tintin

That is lovely,great find! looks like a repair would be fairly uncomplicated as the pivot doesn't look cracked. Should clean up nicely.

Yes, break is past pivot, so maybe I can try to repair! Thanks

The scales are definitely ivory, but without the missing piece, your best bet is just cleaning what's there and using it as is. The break doesn't appear at all structural.

I've experimented with gluing 'donor' ivory onto breaks, but I've never been all that pleased with the result. The problems are A) hiding the join and B) matching the color.