June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Circa 1840-50's. Spear point blade with sharpened false edge, wide central fuller and bolo-like swell towards tip, over 1/4” thick at ricasso. Swell center handle with ivory scales on a coin silver handle frame with unusual silver ring-guard and handle frame; frame is marked LASSERRE, N. ORLEANS on both sides. Leather sheath with silver mounts, leather frog. Blade in excellent condition, lightly cleaned with scattered light pits, handles are superb. Sheath in excellent condition with scattered flaking, solid throughout. Some sort of belt loop or clip seems to be missing from throat.
Ex. R.E. Neville, Jr., John Ashworth, Mike Worley collections.
Publications:
“The Antique Bowie Knife Book” by Adams, Voyles, Moss (1990), pp.114-115
“New Orleans Cutlers Until the 1900s” by Phil Bazer (2008), p.130
(forthcoming) “A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America” by William B. Worthen and Mark D. Zalesky (2017), pp.166-167
Public Exhibits:
Exhibited at Historic Arkansas Museum’s “A Sure Defense: The Bowie Knife in America” exhibit, Dec 2013 - June 2014.
This huge knife of highly unusual design makes for a very intimidating weapon. It was made by French emigrant J.P. Lasserre or his son Auguste, both listed in New Orleans directories as cutlers and surgical instrument makers, and is the only known Bowie knife by the Lasserre family. It is accompanied by a booklet containing original research on Lasserre.