An Old Clip point Butcher By I.(John) Wilson Sheffield, Eng,

[Mason]

A Great old piece of history, My Great Great Grandpa might have been scalped by one of it's earlier relatives in West Texas in 1885 or there about. This one is at least 26 years newer as you will see from the tang. It has the four peppercorn X with a diamond (important to note this diamond is standing vertical). The earlier ones were on their sides. It is also marked with I. Wilson Sycamore St. Sheffield, England. This would definitely put the age at 1891 or after. It is fully hammer forged it tapers from front to back and from top to bottom. My research says the six rivets on the short tang denotes the knife was possibly around or even before 1900. I Don't plan on doing anything to it or with it other than enjoy for awhile. Please take a look and let me know what you think.
moss

The "John Wilson" cutlery company was a well respected English firm which specialized in butcher and various meat knives. Here is a catalog cut from circa 1900 that shows your example which was called a "Steak or Bacon Knife". You can see that it was offered in several configurations and yours appears to be the half tang model either no. 1700 or 1736 (each with iron pins) depending on the type of wood for your handle.

[HiPower]

i. wilson was one of the best butcher knives ever made by forging methods. it was asked for by name by many buffalo skinners. american blade had an article written by lee burke on the quality of these knives [70s].thet used the double shear steel forged process. in short the iron strips were laid in a hot box & sprinkled with charcoal. the carbon from the charcoal transferred to the surface of the iron by high heat [also called blister steel]. they then forged the pieces into slender rods & once again repeated the charcoal process then forged the pieces into bars to be forged into knives. as late as the 20s Sears catalogued the I.Wilson knives. world famous for their edge holding. this occured much later than the use of the english invention of crucible steel which most 19th & 20th century knives were made from. HiPower

[ronk35016]

I know this is an old thread but I'm new to this forum and I have sooo many knives I want to share! Thanks

[ronk35016]

[Mossdancer]

Thanks for your post and bringing this old thread forward. Many new members since the start date, maybe it will spark some interest from them.
moss