George WORSTENHELM I*XL SHEFFIELD Side Knife. The 5 3/8” spear blade is marked “I*XL, GEORGE WORSTENHELM, CELEBRATED, SHEFFIELD” in five lines on the ricasso. Lovely Stag handle scales are held with two German Silver pins. The scale of the blade-marked side has a German Silver panel for engraving, or an owner’s initials. The knife has a German Silver guard. These knives have carbon steel tangs and blades, which tend to darken, stain, and pit. The tang is visible, and has a darkened carbon steel coloration. This finish has scattered rust peppering, even and slight. About 60% darkened finish remains, which has a blued luster. This example has finger stains where the metal is darkened around the ricasso markings, and on the un-marked reverse ricasso. The blade is bright mirror finish with scattered small stains. There is about 95% bright steel finish remaining! The scabbard is pressed paper with a thin veneer of green leather. It is banded at the throat and tip with non-ferrus, thin-sheet white metal. The button, or frog stud, at the scabbard throat is iron, and is spins where it is attached to the throat. The green scabbard body is decorated with gilt edging on both sides, and with “I*XL”, in gilt, on the button side. Nearly all of this gilt remains. The green leather scabbard veneer is slightly rubbed on it’s off side. These were carried by many soldiers during the Civil War, and after during the westward expansion. These Sheffield imported knives are in the marketplace in all conditions; mostly well carried and even as relics. George Worstenhelm IXL brand is known as one of the premium Sheffield makers of it’s day, and this knife stands out in near new, original condition. One of the nicest I have seen and a wonderful example of it’s type. Price $800.00 (ref. B-867)