June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Circa 1830's. Spear point blade, slightly upswept with sharpened false edge. Black walnut wood handle scales; silver wrapped ricasso, tang, pommel and bolster, silver studs and escutcheons. Original silver mounted sheath of thin leather over heavy leather, silver throat is lightly scratched “John”. Blade and handle are in excellent condition, light sharpening and salt and pepper pitting only, scattered dents in pommel.
Ex. Fred Slaton, Bill Wright, Mike Worley collections.
Publications:
“James Black and the Bowie Knife” by Bill Wright, Knife World, Oct. 2002; reprinted in the Antique Bowie Journal, Sept. 2003.
(forthcoming) “A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America” by William B. Worthen and Mark D. Zalesky (2017), pp.90-91
Public Exhibits:
Exhibited at Historic Arkansas Museum’s “A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America” exhibit, Dec 2013 - June 2014.
Knives of this style are considered among the earliest known Bowie knives. This particular type bears all the characteristics of knives associated with James Black of Washington, Arkansas, with less than ten examples known in total.