Lars Mattsson (LMS)

Lars Mattson born 1849 in Östnor, Mora (ref3)

Lars Mattson is described as a mechanic and Knife manufacturer.

Lars Mattson was the oldest of the 8 sons of Djos-Mats Larsson

Djos Mats, was the top of the line clockmaker in Mora. He was painted by Anders Zorn in 1905 as "the last Mora clockmaker"

His brother Anders Mattson together with Djos-Jannes Mattsson, founded Mattsons Mekaniska Verkstad in 1875. Djos-Jannes Mattsson would later leave the company in 1894 or 1895 to create Beus & Mattson, together with Johannes Beus, brother of Lars Mattson wife Hvit Johannes (Jannes) Andersson Beus. Anders Mattson was also a partner with Mora Gjuteri foundry company (ref7).

Lars Mattson is mentined, at least for some time, to be co-owner of Mattsons Mekaniska Verkstad and also Mora Gjuteri foundry. (ref1)

Lars Mattson died 1911-10-17. According to the site (ref3), he committed suicide by placing a dynamite cartridge under the pillow.

According to Bo Widarsson (knife collector from Edsbyn):

"Lars Mattssons knives have a bent-over tang with a small wooden wedge forced in beside the tang. Knives with steel ferrule come with both bent and riveted tang."

It’s unclear if he forged the blades himself or they were produced by one of the other makers active at the time, like for example knives stamped Beus & Mattson were produced by Lok-Anders Mattsson and Krång-Johan Eriksson (ref6)

The time frame is unknown but for sure all are before 1911. The lower profile of the ferrules and the shape of the handle are clear signs of the period.

All the knives were stamped LMS. Some examples have Mora below LMS. Could not verify if the ones that don’t have the word Mora, are because of excessive grinding or were effectively stamped without the word Mora.