December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
The knife is accompanied by a hand-written yellowed receipt that reads: "Brimfield 1982 Summer Show, Shively knife from Mary Chilson $125 JM Sanderson NY Artillery - Civil War. JOHN M SANDERSON". The included paperwork states that John M. Sanderson was born in 1840 in Albany, New York, and died in 1918 in Shawano, Wisconsin. He enlisted in the Civil War as a member of the 11th New York Independent Battery as part of the Army of the Potomac. He served faithfully for 3 years before moving to Chicago, Illinois. He was involved in the G.A.R. and often spoke of his time in the service. He was referred to by locals as "Colonel Sanderson", although he never obtained that rank. He attended a "reunion of the army people" in Gettysburg a few years before his death. The clip point blade is stamped "H. SHIVELY / 75 CHESTNUT ST. /PHILAD" on the left side at top. The ivory grip scales are checkered and retained to tang by 4 coin silver rivets. Both sides have a shaped coin silver escutcheon, the left side is inscribed "J.M. Sanderson". Complete with a large portion of its original leather scabbard with coin silver throat mount. Henry Shively was the cutler of Rezin Bowie, who was Jim Bowie's brother. CONDITION: As found and untouched. Blade shows heavy wear and sharpening marks throughout. Markings on blade very good. Grip scales are very good and retain a pleasing honey patina, left side with a tiny age crack just above the blade. Coin silver is unpolished and period inscription is very good. Scabbard has heavy craving and a portion missing at the tip. A very honest presentation Shively Bowie with provenance.