May 7, 2024 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
Classic Gold Rush era spearpoint blade made for the American market. Blade is etched in large and impressive, oversized capital letters on left side of blade: "CALIFORNIA KNIFE." Stamped above is "G.WOLSTENHOLM & SON / WASHINGTON WORKS / NONE ARE GENUINE BUT THOSE MARKED I*XL." and in a scrolled banner, "THE REAL I.X.L. KNIFE / THE HUNTERS COMPANION". Ricasso is stamped with mounted soldier in plumed helmet. Full tang construction, nickel silver reinforced guard with mother of pearl scales held by 4 silver pins, with a silver escutcheon on the obverse. The original thin dark blue Moroccan leather scabbard also has the I*XL branded in gold along with 'THE REAL HUNTING KNIFE / WASHINGTON WORKS'. Circa 1860s by the most famous and prolific maker of English bowie knives for America and the California Gold Rush market. This exact knife is pictured on pg. 110 in 'California's Best / Old West Art and Antiques', by Brian and Brad Witherell, 1999. CONDITION: Very good. Blade shows signs of amateur attempt at light edge sharpening with some areas of light scattered mossing concentrated near the tip. Acid-etched letters are strong except where ground over. Scales are tight to the tang and show no hard wear or damage.