Fine Quality 19th Century English Double-Edged Bowie Knife by Henry Hobson & Sons of Sheffield and London

Here on offer fine quality late 19th century English bowie knife by the well-respected knife maker, Henry Hobson & Sons of Sheffield and London, circa 1890.

Henry Hobson & Sons (1845 – 1936)

Henry Hobson (1823-1897) was born in Sheffield and in 1842, Henry married Ann, the only daughter of John Pearce, a cutlery dealer and razor manufacturer in Angel Street. Hobson became Pearce’s manager, but in 1845 launched his own cutlery dealership with his younger brother John B. Hobson.

By 1876, Henry was trading as Henry Hobson & Son in Queen Street, Sheffield, and Houndsditch, London. The company is generally attributed as a Sheffield company but had strong links and branches in London.

In the early 1890s, Henry Hobson & Sons sold cutlery and plate, beside a huge range of china and glass, clocks and barometers, cigar and cigarette and stationery cabinets, hand tools, umbrellas, and guns. The firm registered silver marks at the Sheffield Assay Office in 1892 and 1894 (and in London), listing its address as Houndsditch, London.

This top quality English double-edged bowie knife has a superb polished steel blade, with a central ridge that runs the full length of the blade on both sides.

On the ricasso it is stamped with the maker’s name:

HENRY HOBSON & SONS


The grip is made of two beautiful and smooth, antique “animal material” scales, that are pinned securely to the tang frame by three brass pins.

On the front of one it is inset with a sliver shield shaped cartouche that has been lightly scratched with the owner’s initials: W F W W.

The oval shaped fingerguard seems to have been made from polished nickel silver and fits securely in place with no movement.

Sadly, the knife has lost its sheath over the years, which was probably made of leather with polished metal fittings.

The knife is in truly excellent condition with just some age-related light staining to the polished finish on the blade and the edge of the tang.

The blade measures 5.7” (4.3cm) long has an actual cutting edge of 5.25” (3.4cm). The whole knife is 9.75” (25cm) in total length.

It weighs 145g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 51597