We only know of one other Charles Congreve Bowie of this configuration and that particular knife was one of the prized bowies from the renowned David Petty Collection. Both knives are made identically being 16-1/4" overall with heavy 12" blades, .35" thick at ricasso which are beautifully sculpted with beveling, flutes and crosshatching as can be seen in photos. Congreve was quite proud in marking this Bowie on both ricasso's. The particular knife here is featured in an American Bowie Knife Association bulletin in 2000. Wayne McNeese in this article tells it's story "This big, early Sheffield Bowie is fresh out of upper east Tennessee...The handle is bone shaped of cast German silver, with ivory scales, the guard is German silver and is 3" long. Each end of the guard is shaped like a crown. Fortunately, the original scabbard is with the knife. It has a file-decorated, German silver throat with belt loop, and tip. One naturally focuses attention on the ricasso of this particular Bowie. The ricasso is very unique in its design and file treatment. The ricasso area extends 2-3/8" from the guard, and the front area is triangle-shaped and crosshatched. There are 5 round bottom grooves filed across the blade. Next is a flat area with the maker's name, followed by 2 more grooves. Unique about this Bowie knife is that the blade and all silver mounts including scabbard mounts were gilded. The blade retains about 15-20% gild, all in the ricasso area. The guard has about 80% gild, and the other mounts have varying percentages. The scabbard mounts have about 50% gild remaining. The gild treatment would make me believe the Bowie was owned by a person of some prominence." This is an extremely rare massive early Bowie thought to have been made 1832-1837 at the height of the early Bowie knife craze in America. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Wayne McNeese Collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall, blade exhibits some original finish and plating with light old sharpening, staining and light pitting. There is a break in one side to German silver strap and grip and opposite side is bulged. The "Certifiable Antique Ivory" grips are well fit, though one side has 1-1/2" diagonal crack through lower retaining pin. Scabbard is very good, complete with finial and belt loop, mating patina and plating to German silver mounts with several small dents in drag. Scabbard body is sound and solid with several wrinkles and one crack with old glued repair, scabbard body still retains over 90% of its original surface with scuffing and chipping and a couple large chips on one side. Fits blade well firmly and tightly. 50428-6 JS (20,000-30,000) IVORY -