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LOT 1130
Desirable Henry C. Booth & Co.
Sheffield “A Sure Defender”
Etched Blade Bowie Knife -
Manufactured c. mid-19th century
by Henry C. Booth & Co. of Sheffield,
England. The overall length is 14 inches with a 9 1/8 inch, scalloped spine, drop
point blade with floral etching and “A SURE DEFENDER” on the left, and marked “HENRY C. BOOTH & CO/NORFOLK WORKS/SHEFFIELD” on the left ricasso. The coffin shaped handle is made up of German silver with an elliptical German silver guard, a lion couchant on each side of the German silver pommel, and smooth pearl grips. CONDITION: Very good, the blade mostly bright with some scattered light spotting and crisp etching/markings. The German silver shows an attractive, lightly aged patina. The grips are fine with a few scattered light handling marks. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1131
Very Unique Thomas Short Jr. Sheffield “For
Australia” Etched, Coffin Handle, Half Horse-Half
Alligator Bowie Knife with Sheath - This unique and
attractive knife was manufactured by Thomas Short Jr. of
Sheffield, England likely around the mid-late 19th century. It measures 11 5/8 inches overall with a 7 1/4 inch drop point blade that is etched on the left with floral patterns and the slogan “FOR Australia” in a banner, indicating that this knife may have been made to take advantage of the booming knife markets created by one of Australia’s many gold rushes. The left ricasso is marked “THO. SHORT JUN/SHEFFIELD”, much of which is obfuscated. The guard is German silver and cast with a relief steer head on each side and the pommel is the classic coffin shaped half-horse half-alligator, between which is a small, smooth pearl grip scale on each side. A very similar example by Short Jr. is pictured on p. 239 of “The Antique Bowie Knife Book” by Adams, Voyles, and Moss. Includes a plain leather sheath.
CONDITION: Good, the blade mostly a smooth grey patina with some scattered patches of light-minor pitting and the etching somewhat light. The German silver shows an attractively
aged patina overall and the grip scales
have a few scattered hairline age cracks.
The sheath is fine with mild wear.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1132
Attractive George Wostenholm & Son Sheffield I-XL “The Hunters Companion” Bowie Knife with Sheath - Manufactured in the mid-late 1800s by the George Wostenholm firm of Sheffield, England. The Wostenholm company moved into their huge Washington Works facility, perfectly positioning them to deal with the demands of the American market during the period of western expansion. The overall length is 12 1/4 inches with an 8 inch clip point blade. The left side of the blade is marked with the Washington Works address and “THE HUNTERS COMPANION”, and the I-XL trademark on the left ricasso. The grip has a full visible tang, elliptical German silver guard, and imitation tortoise shell grip scales featuring a German silver escutcheon on the left. The sheath is of brown leather, marked “I-XL” in gold, and has German silver fittings.
CONDITION: Very good, the blade mostly a bright grey
patina with some scattered light spotting and some
small patches of brown patina on the ricassos. The
grips are good with a few minor chips absent and a
minor crack. The scabbard is fine with some mild wear.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 1133
Attractive Spearpoint Dagger with Relief
Carved Antique Ivory Grip and Silver
Scabbard - This is an attractive 19th century style dagger that is unmarked. It
measures 11 1/4 inches overall with a 6 3/4 inch spearpoint blade. The German silver
guard has straight quillions. The antique ivory grip is expertly relief carved with large
leaves around the bulbous pommel. The included scabbard is engraved with an extensive chevron pattern, silver plated, and fitted with a hanging ring.
CONDITION: Fine, the blade almost entirely bright with a few patched of light pitting and a few light nicks in the edge, the grip very fine with minimal handling evidence, and the guard slightly loose. The scabbard is very fine with minimal wear and the silver finish showing an attractively aged patina.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750