WWII Period ‘G.Wolstenholm & Son’ Deck Knife and Scabbard. ED 2559. **WWII Period ‘G.Wolstenholm & Son’ Deck Knife and Scabbard. ED 2559. Knives

The I*XL trademark had originally been registered in 1787 to a W A Smith. The mark books of The Company of Cutlers show I*XL being registered to Wostenholm’s in 1831. Originally the family name was spelt ‘Wolstenholme’ but, story has it that the second George Wolstenholme found this name too long for smaller knives so he omitted the letters ‘l’ and ‘e’. The name has been spelt Wostenholm ever since. Moving to Washington Works, Wellington Street in 1848. It was named 'Washington' after the American trade which made George Wostenholm's fortune. Washington Works was the largest cutlery works of its time, placing cutlery manufacture under one roof of a reported 800 employees and breaking with the established method of small scale cutlery production by Sheffield’s “Little Mesters”. The blade length – 11 ½ cm. Total length including handle – 23 ½ cm. The blade has an ornate serated edge to the top of the spine. This knife has an 11cm Bakelite diamond cut grip handle with a finger guard/quillon. The blade itself is engraved ‘I * XL on the ricasso with ‘G. Wolstenholm and Son Washington Works Sheffield England’ on the cheek. The knife comes with its original brown leather sheath with upper belt loop. The blade and sheath are showing signs of use, but only adds to the history of the item. The price includes U.K. delivery. ED 2559.