The original of this knife, with a blade etch designed to appeal to the Union loyalists during the American Civil War, was made by W. & H. Whitehead in about 1860. Many Northern troops carried these knives, and they were referred to by Southerners as “Damn Yankee Knives”. The hilt style of this Bowie became very popular and remained in common use when the Bowie was shortened and relegated to the role of a hunting knife.

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.