Hibbard Spencer & Bartlett Carving Set Carbon Steel Alligator Stag 1850-1900

Made for the Hibbard Spencer & Bartlett Company (later to become True Value Hardware) by the J Russell company from approx 1880's to 1900. The J Russell company made a carving set with a distinctive carved stag handle in the form of an alligator with green and black glass eyes. 

The blade shows some pits and scratches from previous sharpenings but is still pretty full, with a fresh edge. Steel and fork are also in good shape but show their age. The fork's alligator has lost it's glass eyes but the knife and steel are still good. A hard to find set here, the Russell ones are very hard to come by and this is the first OEM one I have found. 

Like all other culinary knives this should never go in the dishwasher, carving knife handles will come loose with high heat (dishwasher, stove top etc), carbon steel can rust if left wet or dirty, expect a patina to form with use.