June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Circa 1848-50's. Clip point blade marked G. WOSTENHOLM & SON / WASHINGTON WORKS; image of spread winged eagle; The Real IXL Knife (in riband); The Hunters Companion, and on ricasso I*XL. Cast nickel silver handle frame in serpentine shape with escutcheon plate on beautifully textured stag handle scales. S-shaped guard also of nickel silver. Original red morocco leather sheath with nickel silver throat and tip. Knife is in superb uncleaned condition, barely sharpened, with mostly complete original polish; just a few scattered spots and light scratches from wiping. Sheath somewhat scuffed and split along seams.
This is a very large knife for Wostenholm, one of the most prominent makers of 19th century English Bowie knives.