we-are-rogue:Sheffield Bowie Knives, 19th centuryIvory handle, German silver guard, 8 5/8 inches bla
we-are-rogue:Sheffield Bowie Knives, 19th centuryIvory handle, German silver guard, 8 5/8 inches blade (21.9 cm), c. 1840sHorn handle, German silver guard, 12 inch blade (30.48 cm), made by William BroadhurstCutlery handle, 10 inch blade (25.4 cm), made by TillotsonStag handle, German silver fittings, made by W & S ButcherPearl handle, horse-and-alligator pommel, buffalo-head guard, 8 ½ inches blade (21.59 cm) etched “Gold Seeker’s Protector”Orange-and-black tortoise shell handle, German silver guard and escutheon plate, 11 3/8 inches blade (28.89 cm)Pearl handle, reclining lion pommel, 10 ¼ inch blade (26.04 cm), etched “Gold Hunter’s Companion” and “E. Pluribus Unum”, made by TillotsonCarved ivory handle, German silver throat and tip, 11 inch blade (27.94 cm) with floral pattern engraving, made by J. Walters & SonsHorsehead pommel, cast guard, 9 inch blade (22.86 cm), made by James RodgersSpanish notch, 9 1/8 inch blade (23.18 cm) with floral design etching, made by W. & S. Butcher“During the Bowie knife period, a high percentage of knives were made in Europe — predominately in England, with a smaller number from the continent. Of the English knives, by far the majority were made in Sheffield, with a number from Birmingham and London. One of the leading cutlers of Sheffield, George Wostenholm, came to the United States on sales calls as early as the 1830s; his famous I*XL trademark is found on many fine Bowies from the 1830s through the turn of the century. The styles varied with the changes in manufacturing techniques and with the whim of the merchant stocking the knives (all the knives were hand-forged, hand-ground, and polished, fitted, and finished by hand.) Since the knives were made to order, in lots as small as three dozen (and a few one-of-a-kind pieces), there are many variations.”~ The Antique Bowie Knife Book, by Bill Adams, J. Bruce Voyles & Terry Moss (Museum Publishing Company, Inc., 1990) -- source link