This section is from the book "The Epicurean", by Charles Ranhofer. Also available from Amazon: The Epicurean, a Complete Treatise of Analytical and Practical Studies on the Culinary Art.
These handles are made of metal fitting on to the bone of a leg of mutton, lamb or ham; they assist the carver to turn around and cut the meat according to necessity. The old style. ones are silver plated and screwed on to the bone, but the new style are made of steel and are fitted on by means of a rubber ring placed inside which grasps the bone tightly without breaking it (Fig. 164).
Fig. 164.
 
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