A man's last line of self defense in the Old West was often his trusty bowie knife. It could not jam, run out of ammunition, or misfire. The finest bowie 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 1890s Old West I*XL George Wostenholm & Son Stag Handle Massive English Bowie Knife is in Very Good Condition, with some sharpening to the blade edge, a very small nick in the middle and lower blade edge, some light cleaning, scratching, pitting, and spot patina at each side of the blade, some light patina and edge nicking to the guard, some light scattered shrinking to the handle scales such that they remain a bit shy of the tang in areas, some patina to the tang, and with some light overall age wear evident. Otherwise, the knife is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it features a hefty, intimidating 10” bright clip point bowie blade with a top false edge, sports gorgeous genuine stag handle scales with deep, elegant, and dark natural stippling secured by 4 steel pins, and is stamped at the middle left side of the blade with its maker, “G. WOSTENHOLM & SON / WASHINGTON WORKS / SHEFFIELD, ENG.”, along with their iconic “I*XL” trademark in large font at the ricasso. The presence of “ENG.” in the maker’s mark denotes post-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 nickel silver full guard with “ball” ends and the initials "JWH" hand scratched into the underside, and is complete with the original Antique 19th Century Brown Leather Scabbard in Good Condition, with some wrinkling and scuffing to the end tip and lower body, some crazing to the belt hanger at the upper back, some scattered scratching, scuffing, and spot darkening throughout, and with some overall age wear evident. Otherwise, the scabbard is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it bears understated “chain link” line embossing down the sides at front and back, carries a sewn leather belt loop at the upper back, and exhibits the name and location “J.W. Harrison / Richmond, VA” hand written in old, elegant black font at the upper front, suggesting the original owner of this stunning knife and scabbard once resided in the capital of the “Old Dominion State”, the genteel “River City”, in the post-Civil War era. The set is a fine example of a very rare, original Antique 1890s Old West I*XL George Wostenholm & Son Stag Handle Massive English Bowie Knife.