Henley

[Quaero]

There were a great many contract knives made in Germany (and other countries as well) especially during the first few decades following WW II. Companies such as George Rose (ROSCO), EIG, and even Latama were all little more than a guy with an address who sold knives that were made by others. Here is yet another example of such a company which is marked "Henley & Co." According to the Goins book, Henley existed during the 1950s and 1960s and imported knives from Germany. That is certainly the case with this model, and there is no question who made it with the blade tang stamps shown. The front blade tang reads "Henley & Co" (over) "Germany". The back side reads "Othello" under the famous Wingen head trademark, and "Solingen" is stamped below that. Also enclosed is a catalog illustration from a Henley catalog dated to 1953 showing that lever model. Anton Wingen Jr. made good quality knives, and this knife is no exception. The fit and finish is above board and the handles are a beautiful premium grade of stag. A fine German-made lever model overall.

[Tkreil66]

Great looking knife!!

[jim d,]

Quaero,

That looks to be an outstanding example of an uncommon stamp. The stag looks fantastic and the corresponding Henley ad adds to the collector appeal.

Jim

[JulesVane]

A beautiful vintage German lever lock switchblade and an obviously rare importer's stamp! Now, I'm fairly sure I knew that "Othello" went along with that "Head Trademark", but I'm sure I never knew it belonged with Anton Wingen Jr.. I can't pinpoint it exactly, but has that Head Trademark been used on other knives that weren't of Anton Wingen Jr. production? I'm not certain, but seems we've seen it on knives not of German production(?). I could be totally wrong here. In addition (question): Were all Anton Wingen Jr. knives marked with the Othello Trademark? Thanks in advance!

[portlandmike]

that is in great shape .. thanks for sharing it !

[thom]

Nice knife, thanks for posting pictures. We all appreciate them.
Thom

[Peiper]

That is a fine knife indeed! Thanks for sharing.

[Quaero]

Thanks for the nice comments all.

JulesVane, The Othello "head" trademark was registered to Anton Wingen Jr., but you may have seen it used on other knives that were contracted out to Wingen. Like the knives themselves, the Othello trademark changed a bit over time. The original logo had much greater detail and more accurately portrayed the character of Othello, the Moorish general who was depicted in the work "Othello" by Shakespeare in 1603. Enclosed are two Othello trademark pictures; a wonderful graphic from the pre WWII era (on top), and a more basic version from the post WWII era (below).
It seems that all of the Wingen switchblades that I remember seeing had the "head" trademark stamped on the back of the blade tang.

[jim d,]

Quaero,

Thanks for the information, history, and photos. I hadn't made the Shakespeare connection, but should have. I have one stamped Anton Wingen Jr over Solingen Germany on the front and Rostfrei in an oval on the back. I'll pictures posted in a day or so.

Jim

[whippersnapper]

Great knife and info!

[rock-n-roll$$$$$$]

thanx for the history and the pix Neal.

[john]

Wicked coo! Thanks for the info too!

[natcherly]

Great thread for learning about some knives I have not been into as of yet.

Did Wingen trademark other Shakespearian characters? "Lady Macbeth" would be an appropriate name for a nice stiletto, fit for a King!

[Quaero]

Thanks again guys, and good to see a few more old friends who I recognize.

Jim, That modern Othello stamp which is most commonly seen doesn't exactly give the impression of Shakespeare's Othello.

natcherly, No other Shakespeare characters, but Wingen did use a knight in shining armor as another trademark.
Several of Shakespeare's works could be used as a trademark since so many of those characters were killed off with a knife or sword.

[jim d,]

I somehow managed to find a Henley stamped leverlock. It is very well made.

Jim

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