This extremely well made knife reminiscent of several makers from New York, Boston and New Orleans, measures 13" overall with a 8" blade and .3" thick near ricasso. Knife exhibits a 4" sharpened clip and is stamped twice with the maker with a couple broken dies which appear to read "B. Haber". There is an article showing this well made knife in detail in Bowie Journal number 17, 2012 though author thought it was "R. Haber, though to this cataloger it sure looked to be like "B. Haber". (Antique Bowie Knife Association). There was a Barvarian Jew named Benjamin Haber who immigrated to the US in 1850, moving to Lamar, TX and becoming a citizen in 1861. He signed his name "B. Haber". Haber was in the mercantile business selling knives among other goods, but is not listed as a cutler. He and his brother Gabriel are listed in Roster of 9th Military District Lamar & Hopkins Counties, Texas as Home Guard at the beginning of the Civil War. Abraham Haber, another brother served in the 9th Texas Infantry as a Major on General Maxie's staff. Whoever made this well made knife, he was a gifted cutler showing skills of surgical tool makers of the era using carved ebony grip, fluted German silver pommel and ferrule. The oval 2-1/2" crossguard has knurled edges again like what might be found on surgical tools or gun hammer. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Ex-Rick Mack collection; Wayne McNeese collection. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Blade is gray overall with scattered staining and light pitting, some old sharpening. Ebony grip has 2 longitudinal cracks on either side and remnants of old varnish coating in protected areas of flutes. 50428-7 JS (6,000-8,000)