November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/3/2017
Circa 1830’s. 5-1/4” long closed, 9-1/2” fully open. Unmarked dagger-ground spear point blade with lockback mechanism. Mother of Pearl handle scales carved in relief, nickel silver guard and pommel with foliate motifs, brass liners. In superb condition overall, the blade showing much of its original crocus polish with scattered spotting, appears unsharpened; the scales are original and uncracked, the trim unmarred. Ex. David Lennon collection. At least two other knives are known in the exact same configuration as this one, and both are marked W(crown)R/JOHN/BROWN & CO./MANUFAC-/TURERS TO KING/WILLIAM IV. William IV?reigned from 1830-1837. John Brown & Co. started in cutlery manufacturing, and went on to be a giant in the steel manufacturing industry. Why this example is unmarked is not known.
Claussen et. al. Sheffield Exhibition Knives. Old World Publishing, Ltd., 1999. pp. 210-211. (similar example #1)
Greg Martin Auctions sale, February 25, 2008, The Largest Knife Sale Ever, Featuring the Fabulous Don Littman & Brad Watts Collections. Lot #48 on p.29 (similar example #1)
Worthen, William B. and Mark D. Zalesky. A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America. Historic Arkansas Museum, 2017, pp.326-327?(similar example #2)
Zalesky, Mark.?“That Other John Brown” in Antique Bowie Journal, Fall 2004. (info on John Brown &?Co., includes similar example #2)