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 Joseph Rodgers & Sons. This Antique 1890s Old West Joseph Rodgers & Sons Carved Guttapercha Handle Massive English Bowie Knife is in Good Condition, with some sharpening to the blade edge, moderate cleaning, scratching, and pitting at each side of the blade, some light patina to the guard, some patina to the tang, and with some scattered age wear evident. Otherwise, the knife is in fine shape, with no other damage. Most interestingly, it features a hefty, intimidating 10 1/8” bright clip point bowie blade with a top false edge, sports elegant dark brown “guttapercha” (hard rubber) handle scales with incredible dragon, vine leaf, and fleur-de-lis relief carved designs and “diamond checkering” in standard application at each side (those scales are secured by 3 nickel silver pins), and is stamped at the left side of the blade with its maker, “JOSEPH RODGERS & SONS / CUTLERS TO THEIR MAJESTIES / NO 6 NORFOLK ST / SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND”, along with the firm’s two traditional proof marks. The presence of “ENGLAND” 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 beautiful undulating “cloud” like nickel silver full guard, and is complete with the original Antique 19th Century Dark Brown Leather Scabbard in Good Condition, with a few small spot dents to the end tip, some drying, scuffing, and crazing to the leather body and belt hanger, some fairly deep surface cracking along the top fold of the belt hanger, some cleaning, scratching, and spot patina to the metal throat and end tip, 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 a matching nickel silver throat and end tip. The set is a fine example of a very rare, original Antique 1890s Old West Joseph Rodgers & Sons Carved Guttapercha Handle Massive English Bowie Knife.