Manufactured in the late 1880s to 1890s by T.E. & R.S. Richardson of Edinburgh, Scotland, this very interesting knife was retailed by J.P. Lower's Sportsman's Depot in Denver, Colorado (J.P. Lower mark on the belt loop of the sheath). Though the Sheffield, England knife trade was very prolific on the American market during this period, far fewer examples are seen from Scottish makers, making this knife comparatively quite scarce. Adding to its desirability, the way these knives found their way to Lower's shop in Denver is specifically documented by Lower himself. On p. 69 of " Sixty Seven Years in the Gun Trade: The Historical Accounts of J.P. Lower" by David A. Lanara, Lower notes that after a tour of Europe with his wife, they were departing for home from "Edenborough, Scotland". He notes that prior to their departure he secured a contract with Richardson's on George Street for lines of fine cutlery and knives, specifically noting the beauty of their "spear point blades" which were appointed with "red stag grips", the likes of which were not available on the American market. This particular knife fits Lower's description perfectly and has the T.E. & R.S. Richardson mark on the left ricasso with the 52 George Street address. Richardson's are listed at this address in the 1883-1884 Edinburgh and Leith Post-Office directory, where they are advertised as "cutlers and surgical instrument makers", as well as offering various bicycles and tricycles. It certainly makes sense that Lower, one of the most prolific sporting goods dealers of the American West, would wish to acquire and sell an attractive yet very functional sportsman's knife such as this. It measures 12 5/8 inches overall with a 8 inch drop point blade. There are some initials very faintly scratched on the right ricasso. The guard is circular with two short straight quillions and a German silver bolster blow it securing a red stag antler grip and a flat German silver pommel. It includes a leather sheath that has German silver fittings and is very faintly marked on the belt loop with Lower's mark.

Exceptionally fine, the blade is almost entirely bright with some very light polishing marks and a small patch of light spotting on the left. The guard is fine with grey patina, and the German silver is bright. The grip is excellent with minimal handling evidence. The sheath is fine with some mild wear/flaking and some age-related cracking on the belt loop. A rare Edinburgh made sportsman's knife retailed by one of the American West's most famous shops!