Christopher Johnson, who was born in Sheffield in about 1809, started his cutlery business in 1836 in Howard Street. The original partnership was apparently Christopher and Henry Johnson, which was listed in a directory (1837) as C. & H. Johnson, successor to Ward & Co, Howard Street (Broomhead & Ward). Later Marshall and Hibbert took over the business. In 1881, Marshall told the Census that the firm employed 167 workers (114 men, 14 boys, 30 women, and 9 girls). Hibbert’s calculation was ‘about 200’. In the late 19th century, the company operated at Western Works and Western Steel Works in Portobello, with a London agent in Victoria Street, London. In 1955, the company was bought by the famous Sheffield cutler Wostenholm. This is a nice late Victorian era English hunting Bowie belt dagger by Johnson Western Works Sheffield. It has undamaged curved solid Stag antler hilt secured ribbed brass ferrule and oval brass finger guard ball finials. It has a 6 ¼” single edged, spear point steel blade with medial ridge and measures 12 ¼” overall. The spine of the blade is 3mm thick & has a serrated bone cutting / file serrated section. The blade is just under 1 ¼” broad at its widest & has just light staining consistent with age & no damage to the cutting edge. One side of the blade is crisply signed ‘Johnnson Western Works Sheffield’ together with Flag ‘C.J’ on pole trademark. The reverse is marked ‘Hand Forged’. Its later bespoke quality made brown leather open top scabbard has rear belt loop and tooled decoration to the front. All leather & stitching of the scabbard are clean & intact. The price includes UK delivery. ED 898 (Bowies box)
£375.00