I picked this up off Fleabay, because I haven't seen this marking before. I have several Wostenholm knives, but this may be the oldest of them. If I'm not mistaken, the G (crown) R stands for George Rex (king), which would place it no later than 1830 (George V was king 1910-1936, and George VI from 1936-1952, but by that time the blade would have been marked with "England" to comply with international trade laws).
Neither Goins' nor Levine list this particular marking (Either the G (crown) R or "Patent"). I also looked on Hawley's website and the Wostenholm listing there doesn't tell me about it either (though there is a fair amount of history about the man and the company).
It's a pity that one blade is broken, but I doubt it would have been as cheap if it wasn't.
Anyone have any thoughts or information about this mark?
Old Wostenholm knife
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beresman
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knife7knut
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Re: Old Wostenholm knife
Looks like a 2 blade quill knife & the general shape and threaded bolsters, I would say it is pre-1830. Blades do not look that bad; I would say you scored!
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Gunsil
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Re: Old Wostenholm knife
British knives not made for export to America did not need the "England" marked on them. I can't see the mark that well but if George III the letters should be hand cut. (The stamp to make the mark should have hand cut letters) The spun rivets are traits of more modern knives. It is a little beauty, must have been gorgeous when new.