1840-1880?, Laguiole ,Massoptier ?with Trocar, fly,
			 
			 
			
		
		
		
			
			Hi everyone, just picked up this beauty last Sunday from an antique store/ garage sale. cost a whole 8 $. 
 
My first though was it was close to a Navaja, 
then I thought it could be a sailors knife with a marlin spike, and clasp. 
then I found the partly legible markings on the blade would stand for Laguiole , Massoptier 
 
So this is a Laguiole knife, and the spike would be a trocar or awl.. for puncturing livestocks stomachs...  i wonder if that was just an excuse to validate carrying a much more intimidating weapon. like the markings on some stilettos.. 
 
I could hardly find any photos of antique laguioles, if you have please share. 
 
I could find no info on the Massoptier, except for some new modern company in the 80's. apparently all the original knife makers closed down around world war 1. 
 
I see a fly, not a bee. 
 
as for the Sheppard's cross  ,  on mine it is not the cross with a long base,  to me it looks more like the five dots of the portuguese, like the 5 shields on the flag / coins.. 
 
please share any thoughts. 
thanks 
 
I added the watch chain to the knife,  it snaps closed and locks open tight, i can see why these knives won rewards.
		 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
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