June 12-13, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/12/2019
Bowie knife with clip point blade marked on ricasso, in shield device, I PREFER J. LINGARD, SHEFFIELD. The face of the blade is stamped with several ciphers, including four dogs pursuing a stag, a lion reading TRY ME, a liberty cap reading LIBERTY, a lion with the words I SURPASS ALL, a Chinaman, a spread winged eagle, and a riband reading AMERICAN HUNTI[NG KNIFE]. Nickel silver oval guard and frame handle with mellowed ivory scales, an escutcheon on the obverse side. Original Moroccan leather sheath. c. 1840s-1850s. John Lingard seems to have been the most prolific maker of bowies and dirk knives to bear the Lingard family name; he was active from the late 1840s until about 1876. CONDITION: The blade with a coarse finish, probably cleaned many years ago. Stampings are generally deep and clear, and the blade has only moderate wear. No cracks in handles.