June 9-10, 2017 Premier Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2017
Circa 1850's-1860's. Double edged blade. Fabricated coin silver frame handle with bolsters, pommel, and fileworked side straps, flanges in front of bolster believed to have made contact with the original sheath for a friction fit. Handle scales are of beautifully mellowed ivory, with raised checkerboard panels on each side and each checker set with a silver pin; silver mounts engraved with scrollwork and geometric designs on one side. Associated leather sheath with coin silver tip and throat is a period replacement. The knife with overall signs of carry wear, the blade lightly cleaned and with light scratches from sharpening. A number of decorative silver pins are missing from the handle.
Ex. Steve Miller, W.R. Williamson, Dave Kleiner, Mike Worley collections.
Publications:
“The American Bowie Knife”?by Steve Miller, in American Blade, Nov-Dec 1973, p.5
Butterfield & Butterfield “The William R. Williamson Bowie Knife Collection”, sale #6552 (1997), pp.10-11
“Knives by Samuel Bell, San Antonio’s Adopted Son”, Spring 2000 Texas Gun Collector, p.63
This knife bears characteristics of Bell’s work in San Antonio, and is said to have been found in an old California mining town.