November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/3/2017
Circa 1836-1840. 10-1/2” clip point blade with Spanish notch and 7-1/2”?false edge, marked on its forged bolster "WOLFE & CLARKS / NEW YORK". Dogbone?shaped handle with cast nickel silver handle frame engraved with shell at crossguard and foliate designs at pommel; stag scales with long nickel silver escutcheons. Original heavy leather sheath with nickel silver throat and tip. Blade has been lightly cleaned and still shows some stains and light pitting, very good overall; handle, fittings and sheath with normal wear. Wolfe &?Clark were New York importers/dealers in business from approximately 1836 to 1844; this knife was made for them in Sheffield and private-branded with the customer’s name (as “Wolfe &?Clarks”). This firm jumped on the surge of interest in bowie knives very quickly, and sold some unique and desirable knives bearing their mark – such as this example. Ex. Norm Flayderman, Mike Worley collections. "The Bowie Knife, Unsheathing an American Legend" by Norm Flayderman (2004), p.361 (this knife)