From a group about which little is known. The 7 ¼” clipped point blade is well decorated with I CAN DIG GOLD FROM QUARTZ, eagle, and other mottoes which evolved in response to the 1849 California gold rush. The forte is struck with the Tiffany mark, in fact double struck as with a mint error. The Sheffield Bowie Knife and Bowie Knives, both by Robert Abels, show other versions of the theme. The cross guard is brass. The grip is scalloped white material, probably celluloid (introduced in 1856) with a hall marked silver base ferrule and plated pommel. The consistent information for these is that the blades were produced about 1850 and mounted later. They were probably made about 1850 by George Wostenholm of Sheffield England, surplus to his need for mounting, probably as the Gold Rush scaled down. The Tiffany mark surcharge is typical of Tiffany, which did not manufacture the Civil War swords bearing the name, but simply retailed them. The fittings would have been considered the latest thing in the second half of the 19th century. That would place them in the period of western expansion where knife fights were common and, as with fancy pistols, a flashy knife could serve as a deterrent.
