GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
IVORY - RARE LARGE SHEFFIELD BOWIE KNIFE WITH CARVED IVORY HANDLE ORNAMENTED WITH BUST OF BLACK MAN.This large clip point Bowie with 10" blade features etched mottos on either side. One side is not fully discernable. The other side reads, "Always Ready". The cross guard and ferrel are gilded gold also the brass scabbard with engraved leaf design down the front is also gilded gold and matches the cross guard. This was a high grade scabbard for a Sheffield knife. Most knives are found with cardboard or leather scabbards. The carved ivory handle, similar to those found on other Sheffield's knives, is unique in that the top is mounted with a carved antique ivory head of a black man. The head set with glass eyes and at one time all over covered with black ink. Now it is worn smooth with the black ink only remaining in protected areas. The carved ivory handle is typical of James Rogers's style knife but the head is unique. According to descendants of the original owner, their ancestor had supposedly acquired this knife in New Orleans where he did a considerable amount of business during his lifetime. The head could have been special ordered by the New Orleans firm marketing the knife or possibly mounted after the knife was acquired from England. In any case, the ivory head is unquestionably of the same vintage as the handle and very nicely carved. A rare high grade Bowie knife. Size: Blade 10", overall 15-1/4". SIZE: CONDITION: The blade has an all over gray patina with worn original etching. The ivory handle has some tight hairline cracks as does the carved Afro-American head. The scabbard retains bright gold wash and has a dent at the very tip. 51086-1 JS38 (10,000-12,000) IVORY -