January 31 & February 1, 2015 Firearms & Knives
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/31/2015
This is a very famous Bowie knife amongst collectors. High quality extremely large spear type Bowie with 10" blade and 15" overall. Blade has nice patina and tip. Stamped on knife is "Rio Grande Camp Knife" with maker, Wm Jackson & co. Sheaf Island Works, Sheffield on base. Comes with an old vintage sheath that fits perfectly. This is probably the most famous pre Civil War large bowie known to American collectors. These knifes were also very popular with the Texas Rangers on the border but the most famous personality related to this knife is John Wilkes Booth. He had one of these Bowie knives in his hand the night he assassinated Lincoln and used to stabbed Major Rathbone with the same knife. After shooting Lincoln, he jumped to the stage breaking his ankle in the process, turned to the crowd brandishing this exact type and make of Bowie knife and shouted “"Sic semper tyrannis" (Latin for "Thus always to tyrants," attributed to Brutus at Caesar's assassination and the Virginia state motto) A picture and history of this Bowie can be found on page 316 in the book entitle "The Antique Bowie Knife Book" by Adams, Voyles and Moss. The one pictured has a stag handle while this example has a wood handle. Don't know if this is an old replacement or special order but looks original and blade is untouched. Arguably, the most famous Bowie Knife in American history and every Bowie Knife collection should have at least one example. This lot comes with an original CDV of Booth.
Item Dimensions: 15" L.