GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
RARE CONFEDERATE "T.L. PRUETT, PRATTVILLE ALABAMA" D-GUARD BOWIE KNIFE.This is a rare example of a maker marked Confederate D-guard Bowie knife pictured on pg 192 of Confederate Bowie Knives, Melton, Phillips & Sexton, 2012: "T.L Pruett produced what are now the most well known of all Southern-identified blacksmith-made knives. An expert craftsman by any standard, his heavy classically Confederate D-guard knives were well made in fit and finish. The 1860 Autauga County, Alabama, census lists him as a 'blacksmith' in the town of Prattville. Like many other skilled craftsman, Pruett put his expertise to work for the war effort. The Bowie knives that he made for the local Autuaga Guards were described in this note, which ran in the Richmond Dispatch of September 18, 1861: 'A formidable weapon: We were shown yesterday a knife, manufactured by Mr. Pruett, of Prattville which is the most formidable looking weapon in the shape of a knife we have seen yet. The Arkansas toothpick weighed two and one half pounds. It seemed to be of good steel, and appeared powerful enough to divide a Yankee completely..." We know Pruett delivered 39 knives by September of 1861 and this was probably his total production. Accompanied by Mr. Ballard's hand drawn display card. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Clark County Historical Society, Springfield, OH; Robert Abels Collection, 1962; pictured Fig. 27 "Bowie Knives", Abels, 1962; Shannon Pritchard, Richard, VA; Lifelong collection of Roger Ballard, 2003. CONDITION: Very good overall and "as found". 17-1/4″ blade has dark iron patina, rounded point, nicks on edges. Crisp markings. Oak grip has hand worn patina. Ferrules are slightly askew from compression of grip, so often seen on this maker. Regardless, this is among the best of the examples extant with good collector history. 52703-9 JS (7,000-9,000)