Scarce Gold Rush-Era Wostenholm, Sheffield, I.XL Double-Edge Fighting Knife

Scarce original Gold Rush-Era George Wostenholm, Sheffield, England, I*XL Double-Edge Fighting Knife with original leather nickel-plated metal-tipped scabbard. The scabbard is in remarkably good condition for its age. This knife has a 14-1/4″ overall length and an 8-1/2″ blade that has two sharpened edges. (Consult your state and local laws before ordering.) George Wostenholm was one of the most well-known Sheffield trade marks.  The Company of Cutlers reference shows  “I*XL” being registered to Wostenholm in 1831. From a Wostenholm company history:  “Their original workshop, Rockingham Works, became too small to cope with demand and by 1848 they moved to Washington Works, named in honour of their American trade. George Wostenholm was an excellent salesman, and made around 30 trans-Atlantic trips to America throughout his life. This was when sailing ships were still in use and steamships were still a very new innovation; the crossing would take a number of weeks and was still very dangerous. It was Wostenholm’s willingness to travel and his skills as a trader that meant the I*XL brand was one of the most famous in America by the mid-nineteenth century.”  These large fighting knives were quite popular with early California pioneers, particularly gold miners. Though Wostenholm folding knives are quite commonly found, it is their large fighting knives (dirks and Bowirs) that are the most sought-after by antique knife collectors. I lucked into this Northern California-consigned knife at an auction. (UUA-850)