GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
FABULOUS AND UNIQUE EXHIBITION GRADE ANTEBELLUM "IXL" BOWIE KNIFE.George Wostenholm was one of the most famous and prolific of Sheffield knife makers. There are numerous examples of his knives and they are referenced in most every book on Bowie knives. Prior to and during the Civil War he was one of the smartest marketeers of Bowies, selling knives world wide. No exhibition quality knives have survived like this example with massive 10" double-edge spear point blade with unique double ricasso, fully 1/3" thick at tang. Blade exhibits near mint exhibit etched in 6-1/2", 2-line panel "GEO WOSTENHOLM & SON MANUFACTURERS OF THE CELEBRATED IXL CUTLERY". The ricasso is unusually marked on both sides "G. WOSTENHOLM & SON / WASHINGTON WORKS / NONE ARE GENUINE BUT THOSE / MARKED I-XL". Norm Flaydermann, in his monumental text, The Bowie Knife, had the only other example of this blade form we are aware, however, with a cutlery handle with patriotic U.S. motif in fine but not like new condition like this example. Norm thought so highly of this unique blade form that he showcased the knife on a double-page spread in his book which is the only full double page in his 512 page book dedicated to a single blade. This is a special knife. Not only is it in near mint condition with extra heavy German silver crossguard and beautiful stag slab grips, the orig matching German silver mounting scabbard is also gold embossed "I-XL" SIZE: PROVENANCE: Displayed as part of the Historic Arkansas Museum "A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America" Exhibit. CONDITION: Extremely fine 10" blade which is 1-15/16" wide retains virtually all of its orig bright finish and polish, very slight pitting and staining at tip. There is a 1/4" chip in stag on one side at the top which is well patinaed like rest of grip with several hairline cracks from age. German silver crossguard, escutcheon and scabbard mounts are all smooth with light scratches expected from age. Scabbard body is scuffed with gilt decoration around edges, worn and much missing on reverse side with frog button and I-XL applied in 1-1/4" panel. 49637-3 JS (20,000-30,000)