June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Circa 1840's. Clip point blade with sharpened false edge, over 1/4” thick at ricasso, marked "REINHARDT, BALT". Semi-birds head shaped one piece checkered rosewood handle with iron S-guard and ferrule, coin silver escutcheon and silver washer at pommel. Original sheath with decoratively stamped thin leather over heavy leather, coin silver mounts. Blade with light sharpening scratches, some original finish remaining. Handle with crack at ferrule, both sides. Sheath in excellent condition with only slight scuffs and dents.
Ex. Ben Palmer, Robert Abels, W.R. Williamson, J. Bruce Voyles, Bill Myers, Mike Worley collections.
Publications:
“The Legend of James Black” by Ben Palmer, The American Arms Collector (July, 1957), p.86
“American Knives” by Harold Peterson (1958), fig. 40
“Classic Bowie Knives” by Robert Abels (1967), knife #15
“The American Bowie: Its Origin & Development” by W.R. Williamson, in Knife Digest (1974), p.18
“Bowie Knives, Origin & Development” by Williamson et al. (1979), p.30
“Bowie Knives of the Ben Palmer Collection” by Palmer, Moran, Phillips (1992), p.33
Butterfield & Butterfield “The William R. Williamson Bowie Knife Collection”, sale #6552 (1997), p.113
(forthcoming) “A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America” by William B. Worthen and Mark D. Zalesky (2017), pp.210-211
Public Exhibits:
Exhibited at Historic Arkansas Museum’s “A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America” exhibit, Dec 2013 - June 2014.
By repute, this knife was originally owned by Mexican War hero General Winfield Scott. Maker Charles Reinhardt specialized in surgical instruments, working in Baltimore 1835-1864; this is one of his finest Bowie knives.