I apologize in advance if I'm making a request that has been made several times beore. it's just so overwhelming to wade through the pages and pages of posts that come up in the 'wade butcher' search..haha..

I'm just wanting to know if anyone has any info on how to identify and 'date' a wade and butcher straight. I picked one up at an antique mall over the weekend and it's pure curiosity on the age.

it's a beaut, by the way. there was a series of very small chips in the blade that caused me to take it down to a 6/8 (actually just a little over at 0.775"). but over all it's in great shape and, man, is it hefty - it makes my shumate's barber feel like a toy!

anyways, I'm not under some delusion that I've got a piece from american civil-war era WB, like I said, just curious.

I can post up a shot of the only marking later tonight if someone thinks that'll help.

thanks!