The provenance of this knife is not 100 hundred percent clear but I believe that J.J. HIRSCHBERG was a distributor/retailer of MURRAY & GRAY Co. knives in the 19th century. Information on MURRAY & GRAY Co. Before the war, John P. Murray, an Englishman, was a well-known gunsmith in Columbus. When the war started, he converted flintlock muskets to percussion for the state of Georgia. Eldridge S. Greenwood and William C.. Gray operated a cotton warehouse business in Columbus. On January 17, 1862, they purchased a sword factory from A. H. Dewitt to start their riffle, carbine, and saber armory. J. P. Murray was master armorer at the new Greenwood and Gray factory. Columbus, Ga. Was the site of much ordnance activity during the war. In addition the arms from Greenwood and Gray, the firm of L. Haiman & Brother was located there, as well as a large Confederate arsenal and depot. All of this activity of the Columbus Ordnance Department was under the command of Major F. C. Humphreys. Major Humphereys’ initials appear on the barrels of the rifles and carbines made at Greenwood and Gray. Greenwood and Gray sold part of their production to the state of Alabama. Shipments of arms against this contract from October 1, 1863 to November 1864 show that a total of 262 Mississippi rifles and 73 carbines were invoiced to Alabama at $18,335. The barrels are marked "Ala." with the date and inspector’s mark. (source: Anthony and Hills Pictorial History Confederate Longarms and Pistols)22.4 ounces. 15-5/8 inches overall. 10 inch blade. 1/8 inch thick. Made in USA. Front Ricasso: MURRAY AND GRAY Co. ; Rear Ricasso: J.J. HIRSCHBERG LOUISVILLE KY. Steel blade. Wood handle. Steel guard.

Mike Snody is a knifemaker who is known for his use of exotic materials in his custom knives. He began making Japanese-influenced fixed-blade knives in 1998 and branched out into other designs by 2004 including Kitchen knives, Machetes, Fixed blade fighting knives, and Pocket Knives.3-3/8 inches wide. 2-1/8 inches high. Made in USA. Rainbow 6AL4V Titanium body. with COA dated 6/15.

Mike Snody is a knifemaker who is known for his use of exotic materials in his custom knives. He began making Japanese-influenced fixed-blade knives in 1998 and branched out into other designs by 2004 including Kitchen knives, Machetes, Fixed blade fighting knives, and Pocket Knives.3-3/8 inches wide. 2-1/8 inches high. Made in USA. Bronze/Gold/Blue 6AL4V Titanium body. with COA dated 12/15.

Mike Snody is a knifemaker who is known for his use of exotic materials in his custom knives. He began making Japanese-influenced fixed-blade knives in 1998 and branched out into other designs by 2004 including Kitchen knives, Machetes, Fixed blade fighting knives, and Pocket Knives.2-3/8 inches wide. 2-3/4 inches high. Made in USA. Blue Titanium body. with COA dated 9/14.

10.6 ounces. 8-1/8 inches overall. 5-inch blade. 1/4 inch thick. Made in Italy. Front tang: EXTREMA RATIO MADE IN ITALY ; Rear Tang: S.E.R.E. 1 CO2821. Black Powder Coated N690 Steel Blade. Black Forprene handle. with black Kydex sheath.

1.1 ounces. 3-5/8 inches overall. 1-7/8 inch blade. 3/32 inch thick. Made in France. Front tang: N690Co ; Front blade etch: Akeron & Bastinelli Logos combined. Black PVD Coated, Dark Stonewashed N690Co Steel Blade. Black G10 handle. with black kydex sheath and neck chain in AKERON Box.

Craig Steketee began designing and crafting custom knives full-time as Stek Knives in 1991. He is a member of the Professional Knifemakers Association (PKA) and The American Bladesmith Society (ABS).10.4 ounces. 13-3/4 inches overall. 9-1/2 inch blade. 3/16 inch thick. Made in USA. Front Ricasso: STEK. Damascus Steel Blade. Wood handle. Mosaic Pins.

RARE LOW SERIAL NUMBER #008!!! Manufactured date is 5/30/1985. Potentially less than 1,000 of these were made by Manfred Sachse. 5.1 ounces. 10-1/8 inches overall. 5-1/8 inch blade. 1/4 inch thick. Made in Germany. Damascus Steel blade. Front blade etch: kershaw DAMASCUS SOLINGEN GERMANY 008. Genuine Stag handle.

Bob 'RJY' Young is a custom knife maker that was based in Michican. He was a supervisor at the Marbles Factory in Gladstone, Michigan, before retiring and making his own knives. 11.9 ounces. 13 inches overall. 8 inch blade. 3/16 inch thick. Made in USA. Front Ricasso: RJY ; Rear Ricasso: 2006. Steel blade. Genuine Stag handle. Brass guard. Stag Pommel.

Francis Boyd is a Custom Knifemaker based in California. He is a trained sword smith having studied under Nakajima Muniyoshi. He is one of only a few Japanese trained sword smiths.8.9 ounces. 12-1/8 inches overall. 7-5/8 inch blade. 1/8 inch thick. Made in USA. Steel blade. Front blade etch: BOYD & FIREMAN SAN FRANCISCO. Genuine Stag handle. Brass guard and crown cap.