June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Circa 1832-1837. Clip point blade with 4-1/2” sharpened false edge ground mainly from one side, marked "H. SCHI/VELY". One piece checkered ivory handle with nickel silver pommel, ferrule, side straps, escutcheon, and S-guard; escutcheons and four decorative pins on each side. Nickel silver sheath. Blade has been lightly cleaned, handle in excellent condition with just a few age checks.
Ex. Herb Ratner, Mike Worley collections.
Publications:
“A New Schively Bowie” by Herb Ratner, in the Antique Bowie Journal, Winter 2004.
(forthcoming) “A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America” by William B. Worthen and Mark D. Zalesky (2017), pp.118-119
Public Exhibits:
Exhibited at Historic Arkansas Museum’s “A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America” exhibit, Dec 2013 - June 2014.
The provenance associated with this knife states that it was given to Pierre Gabriel Wartelle (1787-1865) by a member of the Bowie family who lived nearby. A Frenchman who had been a captain in Napoleon’s army, Wartelle came to New Orleans in 1827, then bought land and built a large plantation near Washington, LA. This knife descended through the family until being sold to a collector.