The original of this knife, with its interesting hilt design, was made in the mid-1850’s by the Woodhead and Hartley company. The design on the pommel is a “half-horse, half-alligator”, said to have been derived from a line in an American folk song “I’m half-horse, half-alligator and I can whup anybody in the house”. Similar pommels were used by a number of Sheffield manufacturers on their Bowies. The first documentary evidence of cutlery being produced in Sheffield dates back to the year 1297. In 1624 a craft guild, the Company of Cutlers, was formed to govern the industry in the Sheffield area. Due to the then isolated nature of Sheffield, many doubted its ability to produce substantial quantities of cutlery but, relying on the abundance of natural resources in the area, Sheffield flourished and became a world-renowned cutlery centre . The cutlers of the city were quick to take advantage of the demand for Bowie knives in the American market and huge quantities made the trip across the Atlantic. Today, Sheffield Bowies are avidly collected worldwide. The three pieces shown on this page replicate existing pieces in private collections and are so beautifully made as to become instant collector pieces in their own right. Made by Hanwei. Key Features: Historically accurate High-carbon steel Great for collectors Specifications: Blade length: 9 1/2 Handle length: 5 1/2” Overall length: 14” Weight: 12oz Thickness at Guard: .175”