Richard Grindall's combined knife and fork, Europe, 1795-1820

Made:
1795-1820 in Europe
Admiral Grindall's knife and fork

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Admiral Grindall's knife and fork
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Admiral Grindall's knife and fork

Sir Richard Grindall (1751-1820) was a captain and later a Vice-Admiral in the British Royal Navy. He began his career sailing with Captain Cook on Cook’s second voyage (1772-75). Grindall lost his right arm in action in 1795 during fighting in the French Revolutionary War. He used this combined knife and fork to eat.

The loss of his arm did not stop Grindall serving in the navy – he later fought at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 under Lord Nelson. Curiously, Nelson also had a combined knife and fork tool named after him. The so-called Nelson knife was used by generations of one armed ex-servicemen and is still available today.

Details

Category:
Orthopaedics
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A70743
Materials:
whole, steel and ivory
Measurements:
overall: 18 mm x 300 mm x 36 mm, .1kg
type:
combined knife and fork
credit:
Braun, H C