GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE AND MASSIVE HALF-HORSE HALF-ALLIGATOR "AMERICAN BOWIE KNIFE" CIRCA 1840.This is a very impressive 15-1/2" overall clip point Bowie by "E. BARNES & SONS / 226 SOLLY STREET / SHEFFIELD". An impressive 6-1/2" etched 3-panel patriotic motif with central vignette of flying American eagle holding ribband "AMERICAN BOWIE KNIFE" above "TOOTHPICK". Scabbard has stamped gilted vignettes which are only partially discernible "THE REAL CALIFORNIA GOLD FINDER KNIFE" and "GENl TAYLOR". This knife exhibits a 4-1/2" clip point which leads to additional 2" of sharpened edge terminating in .25" thick ricasso. Knife is German silver mounted with 2-1/2" pommels depicting half-horse half-alligator which is purely American device from American Frontier folklore. Norm Flayderman in his monumental text The Bowie Knife: Unsheathing an American Legend p. 434 "I AM HALF-HORSE AND HALF-ALLIGATOR AND CAN WHIP ANY MAN ON THE MISSISSIPPI BY GOD! That graphic, swaggering boast and analogy in early American literature to characterize Mississippi River boatmen, frontiersman and Kentuckians." From Davy Crockett''s almanac published in 1835 provided the major impetus for the adoption half-horse, half-alligator symbol on Sheffield Bowie knives. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Charles Schreiner III collection, pictured on p. 288-189, The Antique Bowie Knife Book, 1990; Lot #3870 Butterfield''s 3-23 1992; Paul Tudor Jones II Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Blade retains much of its original polish and luster, gold background originally present on patriotic panel is only about 20% retained which nicely highlights the text, tip of blade has been re-pointed and probably missing about 1/4". Polished bone grip slabs are each cracked, one side has a 1-1/4" x 1/4" chip missing as can be seen in photos. German silver cross guard and scabbard mounts have matching sliver/gray patina. Scabbard is in poor condition with reductions on top and bottom edges, missing over 1/3 of its veneer, tip is bent, cracked and detached, throat has several dents and missing frog button. 49941-25 JS (8,000-12,000)