A man's last line of self defense in the Old West was often his trusty boot knife. It could not jam, run out of ammunition, or misfire. The finest boot knives intended for sale in the American West were made by well respected English cutlers in Sheffield, among the most famous of which was George Wostenholm, with his “I*XL” trademark known for quality the world over. This Antique 1880s Old West I*XL George Wostenholm Celebrated Cutlery Stag Handle English Boot Dagger is in Very Good Condition, with some slight sharpening to the blade edges, a very small nick in the lower bottom blade edge, some light cleaning, scratching, and pitting at each side of the blade, some pitting to each end of the guard, some light cleaning, scratching, and pitting to the rest of the guard, and with some light overall age wear evident. Otherwise, the dagger is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it features a bright 4 3/8” double edge dagger spearpoint blade with a pronounced central spine, sports gorgeous genuine stag handle scales with deep, elegant, and dark natural stippling secured by a pair of nickel silver pins (and with a matching nickel silver blank escutcheon on the left handle scale), and is stamped at each side of the ricasso with its maker, the famous “I*XL / GEORGE / WOSTENHOLM / CELEBRATED / CUTLERY”. The lack of “ENGLAND” in the maker’s mark denotes pre-1890 manufacture, as after 1890, in accordance with the McKinley Tariff, all foreign made knives imported into the US had to be stamped with the country of origin. It boasts a matching nickel silver full guard, and is complete with the original Antique 19th Century “I*XL” Gold Leaf Stamped Brown Leather Scabbard in Good Condition, with some drying to the leather body, one small spot dent in the lower front end tip, two small spot dents in the lower back end tip, some light cleaning, scratching, and pitting to the metal throat and end tip, missing the frog stud from the front throat, and with some scattered age wear evident. Otherwise, the scabbard is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it bears “I*XL” stamped in gold leaf along the front body, flanked by a pair of matching gold leaf vine lines, carries understated floral scroll embossing down the sides, and exhibits a matching nickel silver throat and end tip. The set is a fine example of a very rare, original Antique 1880s Old West I*XL George Wostenholm Celebrated Cutlery Stag Handle English Boot Dagger.