IXL WOSTENHOLM BOWIE QUESTION

[dave1]

Can someone tell me when Wostenholm stopped stamping Washington Works on their knives.. I have a IXL Bowie that is stamped G. WOSTENHOLM & SON WASHINGTON WORKS SHEFFIELD ENGLAND and am trying to date it.. I know it's post 1890.. Thanks..

[knifegirl888]

Welcome to the site, Dave.

Without seeing the knife in question, I suggest that you might want to search google for the names "Fred James" and "Sandy Lowe" bowie knives. From what I have read, Fred James worked at the Washington Works factory until the factory closed 1971 and had original Wostenholm stamping dies. He continued using those dies to stamp on knives that he made. Bernard Levine has written about these knives on his various forums.

I'm not saying your knife is one of these knives, but it's interesting information..

[knife7knut]

Welcome to the site, Dave.

Without seeing the knife in question, I suggest that you might want to search google for the names "Fred James" and "Sandy Lowe" bowie knives. From what I have read, Fred James worked at the Washington Works factory until the factory closed 1971 and had original Wostenholm stamping dies. He continued using those dies to stamp on knives that he made. Bernard Levine has written about these knives on his various forums.

I'm not saying your knife is one of these knives, but it's interesting information..

I have a Fred James bowie with it's original red pasteboard sheath but it is unmarked as most of his knives were.Without seeing pictures of the knife it would be difficult to assess whether it is old or not.
Jim Taylor was a good friend of Fred James and his wife(Ivy?)and wrote several articles on him for Knife World back in the 70's.I remember seeing him(and his wife Cindy)at NCCA (Northeast Cutlery Collectors Ass'n)shows and he verified that mine was indeed one of Fred's knives.Here is a not-too-good picture of it;does yours look anything like that?

[dave1]

No, nothing like that one.. Thanks for response.. If I can figure out how to post a picture I will soon.. Think I just figured it out..

[knife7knut]

Beautiful old knife!How long is the blade? Looks to be about 7".If I had to guess I would say very early 1900's.Thanks for posting the picture.Can you post a picture of the top view;the blade should be tapered where the handles are.

[Miller Bro's]

Nice looking knife. It was made after 1891 and probably no later than the 1930`s.

[dave1]

Thanks for the help in figuring out the age of my knife guys.. I just found this site and glad I did.. Lots to learn..