GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
"CAPTAIN E M SEAGO" CONFEDERATE BOWIE KNIFE MADE AT ETOWAH IRON WORKS, GEORGIA.This is no doubt the best known and most famous Confederate Bowie Knife extant. This knife has been in numerous publications and among the most famous knife collections. This knife is pictured in the earliest knife books by Robert Abels as part of his collection. It is also pictured in Confederate Edged Weapons by William Albaugh, published in 1960. It is pictured on page 66 in Confederate Bowie Knives as the lead in to the story of the Etowah Iron Works and Mark Cooper. Cooper was a prominent Georgia industrialist with zeal for the Confederacy. He planned on presenting at least 100 men Bowie knives and a bible according to a wonderful article written by Lori Nash Cosgrove that appears in North South Traders Civil War, volume 30, #3, 2004. It is not known if Cooper succeeded in making a knife for all his recruits, but at this time there are 8 identified examples. Captain Seago served in the Mexican War where his brother was killed at Matamoras, 1846. Seago went on to serve in the 20th Georgia Infantry after he was present at the George Secession Meeting of 1860. Seago had a good war history, was wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga and did survive the war, though some accounts have him killed in action. There is a large file of documents accompanying this iconic Bowie. Because the knives of the Etowah Iron Works are so well known and exceptionally well made, collector demand for them is very high, especially since many examples are now institutionalized. If you want the finest and most recognized Confederate Bowie knife there is, this is it. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Robert Abels, 1950''s, Carl Pugliese Collection, Ed Wheat Collection, William F. McLaughlin, John Frawner, 1961, John Hammer, 1975, R. E. Neville, John Ashworth Collection, 1990, Loaned to & displayed at the Smithsonian Associated Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw, Georgia 2003-2007. CONDITION: Fine overall. Blade retains much of its orig polish with some old sharpening. Small nicks in cutting edge. Brass mounts and hilt exhibit mustard colored patina; turned wood grip has hand worn patina where orig black color is worn. There is about a 3/4" chip at top of grip. Scabbard is sound and solid. Edge to top of belt loop is unsewn. 49350-1 JS (40,000-60,000)