Large Hunting Kit, Shagreen-covered Sheath

This hunting kit is French and can be dated to the mid-19th century. The distinctive feature is, of course, the sheath, which is covered with shagreen, that is, polished ray skin. This technique, imported from Asia, was in vogue in the 19th century. It was quite expensive and was reserved for quality objects.
The marking "ACIER FOИ" for " acier fondu" (melted steel) does not refer to an object obtained by casting, but to the manufacture of the steel itself. This term refers to steel melted in a crucible, and therefore free of impurities, called "Huntsmann steel" by the British. This steel was particularly intended at the beginning of the 19th century for surgical instruments, razors, and quality cutlery. The term " Acier fondu" is therefore an indication of quality.
KNIFE: has a large single-edged blade which has a long "carp tongue" on the last 9 cm near the tip. On each side, the blade is marked "ACIER FOИ" meaning "Huntsmann steel" (the "N" is engraved upside down). The handle is made of a stack of brown horn, black horn, bone and brass roundels, according to the southern Italian fashion.
Blade length = 26.3 cm, width at the heel 3.8 cm, thickness at the heel 4.3 mm, Total length of the knife 38 cm
FORK: It is a typical hunting fork, in suite with the knife. Two straight tines, with an almond section, slightly apart. Handle identical to that of the knife. Length of the tines = 14 cm, ; total length of the metal part 19 cm, total length of the fork 29 cm SCABBARD: it is made of wood covered with polished ray skin.

The whole thing is nice, and shagreen-covered sheaths are rare
Ref B-25/02-4 S
hipping costs France €20, Europe €30