Surgical Knives

[Nemo]

I recently came across someone's speculation that Tumblety - in disguise - bought and paid for the knives used in the Phoenix Park assassinations/murders - possibly taking them to Ireland himself

Does anyone know how/why this speculation came about?

[Chris G.]

I recently came across someone's speculation that Tumblety - in disguise - bought and paid for the knives used in the Phoenix Park assassinations/murders - possibly taking them to Ireland himself

Does anyone know how/why this speculation came about?

There was a "doctor" who is said to have bought the knives from the surgical supply house in London and it has been speculated that the man was Tumblety using an alias, though the allegation lacks any proof. Nick Warren in the Mammoth Book of JtR discussed the possibility that an Irish conspiracy resulted in the Ripper murders.

Chris

[Simon Wood]

Hi Nemo and Chris,

A bit of incidental detail for you.

The Times, 5th February 1883—

"The [Phoenix Park] knives are somewhat like surgeons' large amputation knives, with blades about 12 inches long and 1 inch broad, edged to the haft along one side, tapering to a point for about 3½ inches and then apparently double-edged. they bore the name of Weiss, 62 Strand."

Weiss advertised as Manufacturer of / Surgical Instruments / and every description of cutlery / 62 Strand London / Razor Maker to the King. Royal Warrant issued by William IV (1830 -1837).

Regards,

Simon

[Chris G.]

Hi Nemo and Chris,

A bit of incidental detail for you.

The Times, 5th February 1883—

"The [Phoenix Park] knives are somewhat like surgeons' large amputation knives, with blades about 12 inches long and 1 inch broad, edged to the haft along one side, tapering to a point for about 3½ inches and then apparently double-edged. they bore the name of Weiss, 62 Strand."

Weiss advertised as Manufacturer of / Surgical Instruments / and every description of cutlery / 62 Strand London / Razor Maker to the King. Royal Warrant issued by William IV (1830 -1837).

Regards,

Simon

Thanks for that information. :) I believe I am right in saying that the broken surgical knife owned by Don Rumbelow that was allegedly found at one of the Whitechapel murder sites (but possibly post-1888) is a Weiss knife and that is one reason that it has been speculated that there is a link between the Whitechapel murders of 1888 and the Phoenix Park (Dublin) murders of 1882.

All the best

Chris

[Nemo]

Thanks for the info guys - very interesting stuff about the knife Simon

One of those would certainly fit the bill for a Ripper type knife