This earliest of New Orleans marked Bowies measures 13-15/16″ overall with an 9-1/8″ clip point blade, .275″ thick at ricasso, etched "My Knife and Wife" in 4-3/4″ 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. Goergen advertises Bowie knives for sale in New Orleans as early as January 6, 1837, less than a year after the Alamo. Few of these knives survive with such fine discernible blade markings. This knife also retains its rare original scabbard with German silver mounts with newer leather cover sewn over which was a typical feature seen on American knives of the antebellum to Civil War era. The very rare motto seen on this knife shows the priorities of the man who once owned this knife, a most remarkable sentiment to be found on any weapon. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Ex-Lafayette C. Collins, Lobdell, LA; Ex-Betty Tanner, (granddaughter); Wayne McNeese Collection. CONDITION: Blade shows areas of original frost and polish but overall gray with staining and old sharpening. Manufacturers mark is easily discernible as can be seen in photos. 2-3/4″ German silver cross guard and other German silver knife and scabbard mounts have mixed gray and dark patinas. Scabbard utilizes original frog button with several tears in the new leather cover above frog button, nice incised decoration opposite throat, leather is still tightly sewn retianing most of its original polished brown finish. Ebony grip retains thin original varnish with several scattered small nicks, dents and bruises. 50428-2 JS (8,000-12,000)