J Russelll Green River Works 12" Bullnose Mass. USA 1865-1880

Made by the J Russell Green River Co.  either at the original Greenfield factory in the 1860s or early 70s or at their new Turners Falls factory in the 1870s. Hand forged blade is hot stamped "J Russell & Co  Patented Dec 19 1865". In 1880 all Russell knives were marked with an acid etch rather than this hot stamp so luckily for us it can be dated within an eight year period, I would speculate that this is from the earlier time span and tooling would have updated for the Turners Falls factory and would not use a stamp still in use from the 1860s.

Rabbat milled cold joined iron bolsters on a Macasser ebony handle is free from cracks or large gaps and is held fast with 5 iron pins. This design is a classic New England solution to non-integrally forged bolstered handles tendency to swell at the blade handle junction. 

The blade had been sharpened in just enough to benefit from a light thinning behind the edge, this has been done without disturbing the age of the blade through its scratches, it has seen some rust leaving pits and pepper spots. 

12 1/8" cutting edge, 18" overall length