This earliest of New Orleans marked Bowies measures 13-5/8" overall with an 8-7/8" clip point blade, .30" thick at ricasso, etched "Arkansas Tooth Pick" in 5-1/2" panel. Etched on top of blade "MANUFACTURED FOR F. C. GOERGEN, NEW ORLEANS". This knife dates circa 1840 in unique form to Goergen, German silver mounted with formed checkered ebony grip. Few of these knives survive with such fine discernible blade markings. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Robert Berryman collecton; Lot #3906 Butterfield''s 3-23 1992; Paul Tudor Jones II Collection. CONDITION: Blade shows areas of original frost and polish but overall gray with scattered old sharpening marks. Manufacturers mark is mostly discernible though partially obscured by tool marks. 2-3/4" German silver cross guard and other German silver knife and scabbard mounts have mixed gray and dark patinas. Scabbard mounts have several dents and dings with untouched patina, tooled leather scabbard body is dry, heavily flaked but still retains some original polished surface with one 1/4" chip of leather missing on cutting edge. Ebony grip has about 1" age crack on one side as can be seen in photos which does not affect aesthetics. 49941-29 JS (7,000-9,000)