Unknown Knife Maker of the 1840's

[yahooty]

Howdy, or as us Missouri (a ) HillBillys say, "Hady."

I am not sure if this is the right forum to ask this question. If it isn't please move this post to the correct one.

During the Santa Fe Trail era there was a Black Smith in Liberty ,Mo. that was listed in the City Directory as "Knifemaker".
His name was TIP WALKER. It listed him as a "Free Black Man ,Blacksmaith .

He sold his knives, and other items he had made , at Independence ,Mo. also.
I have located the area of his shop,it is in Liberty ,which means he had to make the trip and cross the Missouri River ,no small undertaking in those days.

It would be very interesting to find a knife that could have provenence to his shop.
However all traces of him ,and his goods are lost. It seems logical that if he sold knives ,( and they were marked ) they would be found in the western states . He sold his goods on the square to Emmigrants westward bound on the three trails out of the "States".

If anyone knows ,or has heard of him would you write me and give me any information you have ?

Thanks,
Bill Wall

[Jerry Oksman]

Bill, you may want to try to get a hold of Bernard Levine http://www.knife-expert.com

[yahooty]

Thanks for the tip ( pun intended ) Jerry,I sent Mr Levine an E mail and asked him if he knew of Tip Walker and his knives.
It will be interesting to find out if the man Walker was known outside of Missouri.
He must have been a good smith as he made enough money to buy his freedom.
Regards,
Bill Wall

[whv]

pls keep us posted, bill.
thanx