Will & Finck S.F. Cal 3pc Carving Set 'Buckhorn' Crown Stag German 1863-1906

Will & Finck were San Francisco's largest knife-making and retailing outfits starting in 1863. Fred Will took over the first San Francisco knife maker High McConnell’s workshop in 1863 and formed S.F.’s iconic cutlery firm Will & Finck, having joined forces with Julius Finck, a locksmith and bell hanger. Will & Finck had their finger in many pies: locksmithing, bell-hanging, manufacturing agricultural hand tools, gambling equipment (both crooked and straight) and cutlery; surgical equipment, razors, fancy bowies and push daggers, barware, and fine cutlery sets. As opposed to many other knife-makers of their day they did their own retailing, the Will & Finck Emporium being a large shop supplying items from around the world at the time of its eventual closure in 1930.

Will & Finck markings stayed very similar for a long period of time but I suspect this set is from the later 19th century when they were competing with and stocking cheaper imports from the East and Europe as the German silver (nickle silver) ferrules are a less expensive option than the coin silver as compared in the 1896 catalog. (photos reprinted from Knife Makers Of Old San Francisco - Bernard Levine)

This set is not one of the lux expensive offerings from Will & Finck but it is in very good condition. While the blade shows some light pitting and light scratches from steeling it is nearly completely full looking to have never been re-ground. the fork and steel also in nice shape with no heavy rusting and all the elk (?) 'buckhorn' crown stag handles are free from cracks and defect. The only condition related concern is one loose antennae on the fork. Steel, fork and knife are all crisply stamped Will & Finck S.F. with Cal added to the knife along with thier bullseye stamp. 

knife has 9" cutting edge blade, steel is 10" to ferrule and fork 6.25" tip of tines to ferrule 23 oz for all 3