W & H Whitehead antique fixed blade knife

[ejpowelson]

I am new to this forum, so please bear with me. I am trying to find some information on a Whitehead knife that I believe is from the late 1800's. I believe the handle is ivory. I haven't been able to find out anything .... it's age, whether it's a hunting or military knife. I'm hoping someone out there can help.
I've attached photos below.

[OLDE CUTLER]

I am new to this forum, so please bear with me. I am trying to find some information on a Whitehead knife that I believe is from the late 1800's. I believe the handle is ivory. I haven't been able to find out anything .... it's age, whether it's a hunting or military knife. I'm hoping someone out there can help.
I've attached photos below.

Hard to tell, the handle could be bone. It looks like a dagger, are both edges sharp?

[ejpowelson]

Only one edge is sharp.

[btrwtr]

Your knife would be considered an original period Bowie knife made in the later part of the 1800's. Looks to have the remnants of the original pasteboard sheath. I can't tell from the pictures but the handles look like bone. Better, close-up pictures would help. I can't find any inforamtion on W&H Whitehead but there were many companies in Engalnd making knives of this type. Are there any other markings on the knife? What is the blade length measured from the guard to the tip of the blade?

[RobesonsRme.com]

I suspect the poster has confused his WHITEHEAD English fixed blade knife with W&H; WHITEHEAD & HOAG, an American distributor of advertising products.

There is no connection.

I don’t have access to my Goins or LG-IV, but that maker should be listed in one or the other, if not both.

I’m quite sure he’ll tell me if I’m wrong.

Charlie Noyes

[Ridgegrass]

Not in Levine or Price. Looks like bone to me also. Need better pics. J.O'.

[ejpowelson]

I am so appreciative for all of the feedback!
The marking on the knife is W & H Whitehead, as far as I can tell. The blade is 6 1/2 inches. I cannot find any other markings other than some initials on the gold implant on the handle. Hard to make them out. I've attached some more photos. Let me know if any of you need more. Again, thank you all so much.

[btrwtr]

Handles do appear to be smooth bone. Pretty respectable Bowie considering it is around 140 or more years old. The shield on the handle likely had an owners name inscribed. Maybe someone can dig up info on the company.

[RobesonsRme.com]

I stand corrected, as I predicted.

The W & H most likely are the initials of two related individuals, i.e., brothers, with the last name Whitehead.

When checking LG-IV, did you check in the Bowie section?

[ejpowelson]

I apologize for my ignorance... First timer, here... Where do I check LG IV ??

[ejpowelson]

Given the information I've been able to provide and the valuable input of members of this forum, what might be the value of this knife? I hope that's okay to ask.

[danno50]

Tweedale's Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturer's has a listing for Whitehead Brothers. The local Sheffield directory listed the company specifically as a bowie knife maker. The brothers were William and Henry. The business was not listed after 1863. Tweedale makes reference to seeing a photo of a bowie, stamped W&H Whitehead, in American Knives: The First History and Collector's Guide by Harold L. Peterson, published in 1958. The London Gazette, July 20, 1877 recorded the dissolution of Whitehead Brothers, table knife makers. The original brothers died in 1872 and 1873, so the table knife makers may have been their sons?
Your knife is likely fairly rare, the company was only around for a short time period. I would suggest sending pictures to Mark Zalesky at Knife Magazine as he is an avid bowie collector and very knowledgable.

[ejpowelson]

Thank you so much for your input... It's much appreciated.