Born in Limerick, Ireland, Michael Price was himself the son of an Irish knifemaker, and in the 1850s decided to take his chances in the New World. Exact estimates on when he arrived in San Francisco and how he established himself are varied; some have him earning his initial capital as a water pipe foreman, others have him setting up in the corner of the shop of A.J. Taylor, arms dealer and Deringer agent. By 1860 he was a top name in the California market, producing a full spectrum from the tough but simple knife of the settler or prospector to the finely furnished but still deadly sidearm of the urban gentleman and were advertised as being able to be driven through a stack of three silver dollars without losing the point or edge. This particular Price specimen is a fine belt knife, 10 1/4 inches long overall, with a 5 3/4 inch dao-type clip point blade marked "M.PRICE/SAN FRANCISCO" on the left ricasso. The tang is full length and contoured to match the smooth antique ivory grips. The sheath is of plain leather construction with a simple tooled border and integral belt loop. Includes a note from the consignor indicating the knife originally belonged to Caspar Thomas Hopkins as well as a copy of Hopkins' autobiography.

Very good, the blade mostly bright with evidence of mild cleaning/sharpening and some scattered light patches of pitting/spotting. The grip is fine with a few cracks around the pins, some scattered light handling marks, and generally minimal wear. The sheath is also fine with some mild wear and age cracking. A rare knife from a very desirable California maker!