There are several Confederate edged weapons known signed "L. LYNCH" including 3 Bowie knives, this one no doubt the best made and most impressive. This knife is pictured on pgs 175 & 176 of Confederate Bowie Knives by Melton, Phillips & Sexton. Lemon Lynch was listed on the 1860 census as a carpenter from Goldsboro, NC. There is a June 1861 Raleigh, NC newspaper referred to in book stating Bowie knives were being made in Goldsboro and we have little doubt Lemon Lynch was who they referred to. This knife originated from the great-great granddaughter of the Southern soldier, John Quincy Adams of Wayne County (Goldsboro) who enlisted July 19, 1861 as a Private in the 1st North Carolina Light Artillery Battery. Private Adams was captured at Ft. Macon, NC April 26, 1862 and was paroled several months later. He later joined the 3rd North Carolina State Troops and no other information was easily found because when he enlisted he was a 44 year old farmer. Knife is a wonderful as found relic described in a June 2003 ABKA Journal: "The blade is a whopping 15-1/2" long, 1-3/8" wide, with a wicked clip, which is sharpened for 4-1/2" of its length. The sophistication of the blade design continues with the ample ricasso. The blade is just about 3/8" thick, very well ground with a median ridge. The clips is 5" long with a double bevel. Overall length is 20-3/4". This Bowie knife turned up in North Carolina, still in the family and still with its original tin scabbard. I was fortunate to be able to buy it from a picker, who bought it from an elderly lady who was the great, great granddaughter of the southern soldier who owned it. His name was John Quincy Adams, from Wayne County". SIZE: PROVENANCE: Pvt. John Quincy Adams, 1st North Carolina Light Artillery Battery, Wayne County, NC, 1861; family descent; Wayne McNeese Collection. CONDITION: Knife is fine overall with grey blade still showing orig tool marks, with hollow grind retaining orig sharp cutting edge with scattered areas of staining, rust and pitting. Makers mark is crisp. Iron patina is found on cross guard, pommel cap and scabbard. Lapped tin scabbard retains belt loop with numerous small dents and dings and is missing soldered tip, sound showing much of its orig surface. 50428-4 JS (20,000-30,000)