It is a well known fact that at least four Confederate Richmond manufacturers delivered pikes to the Richmond Arsenal and this blade is no doubt identical in dimensions to those found and marked the products of Boyle & Gamble (note star on ricasso). Pike blades are found mounted in bayonet handles, short sword handles and simple wood handles. But this is the only example we have seen made as a D-Guard. This is also the only Bowie noted where the orig ferrule and part of haft were used as the grip. The well formed heavy D-Guard could have been made by any of the known suppliers of Virginia Ranger knives (See chapter 6, pgs 140-150 on The Virginia's Ranger Knife, Confederate Bowie Knives, Melton, Phillips & Sexton. This knife measures 17-3/4" overall with a 12-3/4" double-edged pike blade identified to Boyle & Gamble for size and for residual stamped star on ricasso. The accompanying scabbard is a recycled short sword scabbard but has always been with this knife according to earliest collection history. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Ex-John Frawner Collection; Dr. Frederick Novy Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Staining and pitting on blade, tool marks on ricasso, mostly obscured star stamping, iron patina to D-Guard. Hand worn patina to grip and mottled mustard colored patina to ferrule. Accompanying scabbard has cut belt loop and heavy patina to throat with bending at bottom of scabbard where it extends past blade tip. 50374-1 JS (3,000-5,000)