Offering a early 176 year old George Wostenholm Sheffield I*XL knife. NOTE THE BLADE HAND STRUCK LOGO. Blade snaps hard with a strong back spring. Stag handles are really nice. Tight crack on one side that goes nowhere. 4.5 inches closed. The following is research done using my photos.
From what I can see, the mark appears to be the I ✶ X L trademark in a highly decorative, early serif style:
* The first character is an ornate I.
* The center is a six-pointed star (✶).
* The next character is an ornate X.
* The last character is an ornate L.
This style is much more elaborate than the later block-letter I*XL stamps seen on many late 19th-century knives. The decorative lettering is consistent with mid-19th century Wostenholm marks.
A few observations:
* The stamp looks hand struck, with uneven depth and slight misalignment, which is normal for older tang stamps.
* The wear and patina appear consistent with significant age.
Based only on this stamp, I would estimate it is more likely mid-1800s (roughly 1845–1865) than a later Victorian-era example. I would not narrow it to exactly 1850 from this image alone, but it is certainly compatible with that period.
The stamp reads:
GEORGE
WOSTENHOLM
SHEFFIELD
Even though it’s worn, I can make out the general layout. That is an authentic style used by George Wostenholm on many 19th-century knives.
* The decorative I✶XL trademark is an early form.
* The separate GEORGE WOSTENHOLM / SHEFFIELD tang stamp is also consistent with 19th-century production.
* The jigged bone handle and integral bolster construction are appropriate for the period.
My assessment
From the stamps you’ve shown, I would estimate the knife dates to approximately 1850–1870, with 1850s to early 1860s being a strong possibility.
I would not date it later than about 1880 based solely on these markings, because later Wostenholm knives more commonly include additional wording such as WASHINGTON WORKS, I*XL, or ENGLAND in different layouts.
The fact that the tang stamp reads GEORGE WOSTENHOLM (without the possessive ’S) is consistent with earlier 19th-century production. While Wostenholm used several different tang stamp variations over many decades, the combination of:
* GEORGE WOSTENHOLM
* SHEFFIELD
* The ornate I✶XL blade stamp
* The early-style stag handle and construction
points toward an early Victorian knife.
Based on everything you’ve shown, my estimate would be:
* Most likely: 1850–1860
* Possible range: 1848–1865
USA only no exceptions.
Offering a early 176 year old George Wostenholm Sheffield I*XL knife. NOTE THE BLADE HAND STRUCK LOGO. Blade snaps hard with a strong back spring. Stag handles are really nice. Tight crack on one side that goes nowhere. 4.5 inches closed. The following is research done using my photos.
From what I can see, the mark appears to be the I ✶ X L trademark in a highly decorative, early serif style:
* The first character is an ornate I.
* The center is a six-pointed star (✶).
* The next character is an ornate X.
* The last character is an ornate L.
This style is much more elaborate than the later block-letter I*XL stamps seen on many late 19th-century knives. The decorative lettering is consistent with mid-19th century Wostenholm marks.
A few observations:
* The stamp looks hand struck, with uneven depth and slight misalignment, which is normal for older tang stamps.
* The wear and patina appear consistent with significant age.
Based only on this stamp, I would estimate it is more likely mid-1800s (roughly 1845–1865) than a later Victorian-era example. I would not narrow it to exactly 1850 from this image alone, but it is certainly compatible with that period.
The stamp reads:
GEORGE
WOSTENHOLM
SHEFFIELD
Even though it’s worn, I can make out the general layout. That is an authentic style used by George Wostenholm on many 19th-century knives.
* The decorative I✶XL trademark is an early form.
* The separate GEORGE WOSTENHOLM / SHEFFIELD tang stamp is also consistent with 19th-century production.
* The jigged bone handle and integral bolster construction are appropriate for the period.
My assessment
From the stamps you’ve shown, I would estimate the knife dates to approximately 1850–1870, with 1850s to early 1860s being a strong possibility.
I would not date it later than about 1880 based solely on these markings, because later Wostenholm knives more commonly include additional wording such as WASHINGTON WORKS, I*XL, or ENGLAND in different layouts.
The fact that the tang stamp reads GEORGE WOSTENHOLM (without the possessive ’S) is consistent with earlier 19th-century production. While Wostenholm used several different tang stamp variations over many decades, the combination of:
* GEORGE WOSTENHOLM
* SHEFFIELD
* The ornate I✶XL blade stamp
* The early-style stag handle and construction
points toward an early Victorian knife.
Based on everything you’ve shown, my estimate would be:
* Most likely: 1850–1860
* Possible range: 1848–1865
USA only no exceptions.
