19" overall, 14 ½ inch well-ground, 3" sharpened false edge, signed on ricasso "S. A. CREASON". Massive blade 1 ¾" wide and over 1/3" thick, well sculpted D-guard with remnants of old gold paint. Grip exhibits most unusual braided leather cover which even covered iron ferrule and was originally wrapped prior to the guard being attached as wrap edges are found under the peened pommel. Samuel A. Creason was born 1827 in North Carolina. He was listed as a blacksmith in the 1850 census of Rowan County, and was also listed as a blacksmith in the 1860 census of Anson County. It is noteworthy that there is at least one other known Confederate knife maker from Anson County, "W.G. Simmons" as noted in N.C. Confederate Bowie Knives, by Melton Phillips and Sexton, 2012. Note that Samuel A. Creason often went by simply S.A. Creason, both in the censuses and in business name references. Samuel A. Creason's brother-in-law, with whom he was living in 1850, was Elias Jackson Huie of the 5th North Carolina. Samuel died in 1897 and is interred at Mill Cemetery in Darlington, South Carolina, with his son William. Of the over 500 knives photographed for the 2012 publication Confederate Bowie Knives, this unique maker and unique grip has never been previously encountered. SIZE: CONDITION: Very good overall "as found", iron patina, still quite sharp, chipped tip, few small nicks in cutting edge, old sharpening and tool marks, blade is gray overall scattered staining and pitting, quillon is bent down, the guard still retains about half thinning black japanning. 75% basket weave grip wrap is retained with hand worn patina and about half of its surface still bright black and rest worn through smooth brown. Three small brass pins are found in the exposed wood grip near pommel which were placed apparently during the time of use to slow loss of leather. As noted previously, traces of gold paint are found on guard which was probably applied by the union veteran who carried this souvenir home. This knife was just recently found in a Pennsylvania estate and most likely a souvenir carried back by Pennsylvania Civil War soldier. 51790-1 JS (4,000-6,000)